United States: NEPA: Wimpies

Since we are a country of immigrants, a lot of the food in the U.S. is adapted from other countries' cuisine. As far as I can tell, however, the sloppy joe is a wholly American food. In my hometown in Northeastern Pennsylvania (AKA NEPA), we call them wimpies and we eat them all summer long. Here's the recipe I grew up with, with a few of my own additions.

Serves 6

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef

2 small mild peppers, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 small onion, finely chopped

Butter or olive oil for sautéing 

1 12 oz. can chili sauce

1/2 tbsp. ketchup

1/2 tsp. mustard

1/4 tsp. white vinegar

1 tsp. brown sugar

A dash of hot sauce (optional)

Hamburger buns

Step 1: Sauté peppers, garlic and onion in butter or olive oil until onions are translucent.

Step 2: Add ground beef and cook until brown.

Step 3: Stir in chile sauce, ketchup, mustard, vinegar, brown sugar and hot sauce.

Step 4: Simmer on low until heated through.

Step 5: Spoon onto buns and serve!

(P.S. That's a kale caesar salad next to the wimpie in the picture. Ask me about it if you want the recipe... it was phenomenal!!)