Recipe courtesy of Gourmet magazine
These are the Jay Gatsbys of sloppy joes—suave, debonair. But we’d be remiss if we let the black-tie frippery of these cosmopolitan joes belie their true nature: Just as with Fitzgerald’s famous hero, there’s substance underneath all that class. These civilized sandwiches are hearty, delicious, and perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 35 min
Servings: Makes 4 servings
1 (14-1/2-ounce) can whole tomatoes in juice, drained (I used crushed tomatoes to save the first step of the directions)
1 large onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium carrot, finely chopped
1 celery rib, finely chopped
1-1/2 lb ground beef chuck
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 cup dry red wine
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1-1/2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
4 kaiser rolls, split Preparation
Purée tomatoes in a blender. Cook onion and garlic in butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until onion begins to brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Add carrot, celery, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, 4 to 5 minutes.
Add beef and brown, stirring to break up lumps, 5 to 6 minutes. Add chili powder, cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Add puréed tomatoes, wine, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar and boil, stirring occasionally, until sauce has thickened, about 6 minutes. Season with salt and sandwich inside rolls.
Cate’s Notes: Drain ground beef.
