My Need to Mixtape

I've been putting this entry off for a few days. I'd initially thought to attach it to an actual recipe entry, but then when I did so, the post went on and on... and really, was pretty confusing.

Why my need to mix-tape? (as silly as that sounds in this ipod age) My husband is going away on business travel tomorrow. For a week. Far away. To a whole different country. For a week. Gross.

Mind you, we're both in our early 30s, mature, secure, happy people (mostly). We've just never had a situation like this pop up before. We're also both more than happy to have our Own Time to do our Own Things... but for a whole week? In another country? Six hours ahead? Yikes. lol, I've been saying "we" a lot. I don't think my darling husband is as worked up about this as I am, at least not for the same reasons. He is the one that will be trapped on an airplane for 9 hours, not me. He'll be dealing with different languages and cultures and working 12 hour days while he's there - just to take another 9 hour flight home. Really, I have it easy. So I should shut my sappy trap and suck it up. :)

You and I both know that won't happen, though, will it? While I was out running errands, the idea of a mix-tape occurred to me. Remember doing that? A mix-tape was such an expression of self... we made them for ourselves, for our best friends, for our boy- or girl-friends... for family vacations or summer camp or to celebrate an awesome summer (I still have my "Summer of '97" tape in my car, and yes, it has MMMBop on it.) What also amuses me is that if I were to make one, for him to like it, it would have to consist almost entirely of Black Crowes music - and he has just about every cd they ever made... I'll have to put my thinking cap on.

But don't you worry about me. I have lots to do next week. I have our Green Dimes info to update, some movies from Netflix to watch, girlfriends to catch up with, muscles to work out, breadmaking to learn, a bathtub to clean... (maybe even a game to play with you guys) I'll be okay. But that doesn't mean I won't really miss my sweet husband. Be safe and hurry home, Love.

See the recipe...

Sloppy Joe MMMBop

So, we were about to sit down to Sloppy Joes, and MMMBop was going on the Bose. As you can see in the picture, my sloppy joe is a little wonky. I don't know where I got it, but when I first made this recipe a few years ago, we had it in lettuce wraps, rather than buns. (Could have been South Beach Diet inspired, in fact). Dave doesn't care for them this way, so he used buns leftover from last nights burgers.

This particular recipe, found in Everyday Food magazine, suggested making it two different ways - for kids and adults. Kids get smaller buns, grown-ups get cilantro and avocado. (Yay being old!)

Sure, you could easily make Manwich or other brand sloppy joe from a can, but why? This is so easy and tastes great. Me, I like the lettuce... give it a go!


Sloppy Joes
Everyday Food Magazine, September 2005
http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.fc77a0dbc44dd1611e3bf410b5900aa0/?vgnextoid=2543a6e806b0f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&autonomy_kw=sloppy%20joe&rsc=ns2006_r3

1 1/4 pounds ground beef chuck
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tomato puree, (14.5 ounces)
2 tablespoons light-brown sugar
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
4 hamburger rolls, cut into mini buns
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon pickled jalapeno chiles
2 hoagie rolls, split in half
1/2 ripe avocado, thinly sliced

For the Kids (Serves 2) In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook beef, breaking apart pieces with a wooden spoon, until lightly browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Season with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring, until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add puréed tomatoes, sugar, vinegar, tomato paste, Worcestershire, and 1 1/2 cups water. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until thickened, about 20 minutes. Reserve half the beef mixture for the adults. Divide remaining evenly among the mini buns (2 per serving).

For the Adults (Serves 2) Stir cilantro and jalapenos into the reserved beef mixture. Dividing evenly, spoon over bottom halves of rolls; top with avocado slices.

See the recipe...