Beef and Sausage Sloppy Joes

Serves 6 to 8

• 2 tsp vegetable oil (10 mL)
• 1 cup chopped onions (250 mL)
• 2 tsp minced garlic (10 mL)
• 8 oz lean ground beef (250 g)
• 8 oz mild Italian sausage, chopped, casings removed (250 g)
• 4 cups chopped fresh tomatoes or 28 oz [796 mL] can, drained, chopped tomatoes (1L)
• 1-1/2 tsp dried basil (7 mL)
• 1 tsp chili powder (5 mL)
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano (2 mL)
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (optional) (25 mL)

Preparation

1. In large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat; add onions and garlic and cook for 4 minutes or until softened. Add ground beef and sausage and cook for 5 minutes, breaking up meat with a spoon, or until no longer pink. Drain off excess fat.

2. Add tomatoes, basil, chili powder and oregano; bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve over toasted hamburger buns. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired.

Tip

• Children often prefer this sauce smoother. If too chunky, run through the food processor.

• If a livelier taste is desired, use spicy sausage.

• This recipe can also be used as a pasta sauce.

Make Ahead

• Can be made up to 2 days ahead or frozen for up to 3 weeks. Great as leftovers.

Per Serving (8)
Calories—230
Protein—12 g
Fat, total—16 g
Fat, saturated—6 g
Carbohydrates—10 g
Sodium—268 mg
Cholesterol—41 mg
Fiber—3 g

Tips On Cooking For Children

Children have a natural sweet tooth. Satisfy it by giving them dessert recipes that have fewer calories and lower cholesterol. Over time they will crave fewer commercial baked goods.

Foods that represent "fast food" to children—such as tortillas, chili, macaroni and cheese and "beefaroni-type" dishes are always a sure way to get them to eat with a smile on their faces.

Converting children and teenagers to eating better is easier than you might think. Do it slowly by introducing healthier versions of "fast foods." Once they start to enjoy these home-prepared foods, gradually introduce more sophisticated dishes. Over time, their taste for fatty foods will diminish as these new tasty foods enter into their repertoire.

Recipes from Rose Reisman's Enlightened Home Cooking

Chicken Breast Stuffed with Brie Cheese, Red Pepper and Green Onions

Beef and Sausage Sloppy Joes

Rose Reisman's Enlightened Home Cooking
by Rose Reisman
Cover Photograph by Mark T. Shapiro
Robert Rose, Inc.
$18.95/trade paperback
16 color photographs throughout
Books available: August 1996
Publication date: September 1996
Foreword by Dr. Roy M. Clark, Chair of the National Breast Cancer Fund, Canada and Sharon Green, Executive Director, Y-ME
ISBN: 1-896503-16-0
Reprinted with permission