The “Sloppy” Joe
Bust out that hot wax, this lunch lady has lost the mustache and become a swan. When Sean unveiled his dish as the perennial cafeteria classic the Sloppy Joe for this week’s contribution to our Dutch Oven DudesTM?, I was instantly brought back to a simpler time where my life’s biggest worry was the positioning of my oversized 5 Star Binder as I secretly watched the “Toxic” music video in home economics. Unlike my fond home economics memories, I do not quite have as transformative a recollection of my childhood Sloppy Joe, which consisted as some amalgamation of watery barbecue sauce, beans, and mystery meat hastily plopped, yes PLOPPED, between two somewhat stale white bread rolls.
With that mental image in mind, it was to my supreme delight to find that my lunch lady now rocks a Givenchy with the matching Christian Louboutins as Sean reinvented this childhood classic into something sophisticated, well balanced, and most importantly, collagen free, something a certain “Mean Girls” star could most certainly take pointers in. (Cough: Burkini ಠ_ಠ) Sean’s reinvention started by browning a blend of lean pork and beef, seasoned with cayenne pepper and marinated in a Cannon clan secret proprietary blend of Worcestershire, Sweet Baby Ray’s, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar to create a tangy and sweet base. Add in baked beans, onions, and red peppers and let all that goodness marinate for three plus hours and you’ve got yourself something which can only ironically be called a “Sloppy” Joe. Top with fresh coleslaw and cheddar cheese and I assure you, you’ve got yourself one hell of a tasty sandwich.
Sitting from my privileged position as witness and participant to each week’s passing Dutch ovens, it’s a pleasure to see each of us constantly outdo the other. As the previous week’s chef, I am delighted to say the King is dead, long live the King, Chef Sean! I can’t wait to see what form of regicide Bri whips up next week.
Before we finish up this week’s post, we at Dutch Oven Dudes ®? need to give a certain sweet and charming dinner guest a serious and well overdue shout out. A collective letter, penned below:
Dear Val,
Do you know what the most important position is in baseball? I’ll give you a hint, it’s the person that comes out last and finishes the game. No matter how well we cook, it’s always the desserts you find and bring that end up becoming the triumphant parting piece in our minds. You steal the show week-in and week-out. You are the Dutch Oven Dudes’ closer and have become an integral part of our cherished tradition. From the bottom of our hearts, WE THANK YOU! You will always have a place at our table.
Much love,
The Dutch Oven Dudes
(Bri, Ry, Adam, and Sean)
And that’s a wrap folks! Till next week. Chin-Chin Mother F***ers.