Author Pam - For the Love of Cooking / Original by The Food Network
Equipment
Large skillet
Baking Sheet
Ingredients
Italian Sloppy Joes:
2tbspolive oil
2lbslean ground beef
Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
1medium yellow onion, diced
1medium red bell pepper, diced
Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
5cloves of garlic, minced
1tspdried basil
½tspdried oregano
1(6 oz)can of tomato paste
1(28 oz)can of crushed tomatoes
2-3tspsugar, to taste
Fresh parmesan, for serving
Fresh parsley, finely chopped, for serving
Garlic Toast:
4tbspsalted butter, softened to room temperature
½tbspfresh parsley, finely minced
¼tspgarlic powder
Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
1loaf of French bread
Instructions
Make the sauce by heating one tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef then season with a bit of sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste. Cook, breaking up the meat with the spatula, until it is well browned and in crumbles, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the fat and remove the beef to a plate and set aside.
Add the last tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the onion, red bell pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes then cook, stirring often, until softened and lightly browned, about 5-6 minutes.
Add the garlic, basil, and oregano then cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
Add the tomato paste then cook, stirring until well incorporated into the onion & peppers, about 1-2 minutes.
Add the crushed tomatoes and sugar then stir to combine. Add the beef and its juices then mix well. Simmer for 10 minutes while you cook the garlic toast. Taste and re-season if needed before serving.
Make the garlic toast by preheating the oven to 400 degrees.
Combine the softened butter with fresh parsley, garlic powder, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper, to taste; mix well.
Slice the French bread into 8 thick slices then spread the butter mixture evenly over the top of each slice.
Place the slices of bread, butter side up, on a baking sheet then place them into the oven to bake for 7-10 minutes, or until lightly golden brown and toasted.
To serve, spoon sauce over a slice of garlic toast letting the sauce cascade over the sides. Top with lots of freshly grated Parmesan and fresh parsley. Serve immediately. Enjoy.