Crockpot Sloppy Joes

So far this week, unbeknownst to each other until after the fact, Carrie made sloppy joes using the mix, Betsy tried this recipe below, and our mom made a homemade version of sloppy job mix for Meatless Manicotti--clearly, we are all on the same page! It's always kind of scary when that happens.

This recipe below could be frozen before putting the mixture in the crock pot (after browning beef/onions and adding seasoning). Thaw the night before and proceed as directed. This is the kind of crock pot recipe you begin around lunchtime (or during kids' naps) since it doesn't take all day to cook. Recipe can be doubled and cooked in the same size crock. 4 quarts is preferable, round or oval.

~Recipe from Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Cookbook

• 1 pound lean ground beef (or turkey)
• 1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 large red bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 large rib celery, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 (6-oz) can tomato paste
• 2 T. cider vinegar
• 2 T. firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 t. paprika
• 1/2 t. dry mustard
• 3/4 t. salt
• 1/2 t. chili powder, or to taste
• 1/4 t. pepper
• 1 t. Worcestershire sauce
• dash hot sauce
• dash cayenne pepper
• hamburger or soft sandwich buns
• 1 (8-oz.) can tomato sauce if you like yours extra saucy and want to eat it with knife and fork

1. Brown meat and veggies. Drain, if desired.
2. When cooked, add to crock with remaining ingredients (except sandwich buns). If you don't use the extra tomato sauce, the mixture can be piled on the buns, topped, and eaten as a (messy) sandwich. If you want them soupy, throw in the extra tomato sauce now, too.
3. Cover and cook on low 5-6 hours. Mine went a bit longer than 6 hours and it was a little too long. Check it at 4 hours--all crocks cook differently.

Serves 4-5