tasty tuesday ~ bombay sloppy joes...

so many layers of flavor...quite delish I must say...

I adore sloppy joes. The thick tomato sauce filled with finely chopped peppers and onions. There is a tangy sweetness that just makes my heart happy. I was thumbing through my recipe files recently and found this recipe from the Food Network Magazine. Aarti Sequeria is one of my favorite Food Network personalities. I love her sparkle and her energy. I also seriously enjoy her food. So when I discovered this recipe combined one of my favorite dishes of all times with the lovely warm notes that sing in Indian food, I knew I had to make them. 

The layers of flavor in this recipe with all the spices followed by the heat of the peppers, made me do a happy dance at the stove. Then you add in the unexpected with the raisins and pistachios and you have quite the plate. This dish reminds me of my sister-in-laws chili recipe that I adore. She is Indian and whenever I get the chance to eat at her table I run as fast as I can. 

Now I have a recipe that will make the time in between those fabulous meals a little more tolerable. 

Celebrate the Feast!

Mary

***************************************************

This recipe is simple and filled with incredible layers of flavor...

Bombay Sloppy Joes

Recipe by Aarti Sequeira for Food Network Magazine

For the Sauce:

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon minced peeled ginger

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 serrano chile pepper, seeded and minced

1 teaspoon garam masala

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 15-ounce can tomato sauce

For the Sloppy Joes:

3 to 4 tablespoons vegetable oil

Small handful (about 1/4 cup) raisins

Small handful (about 1/4 cup) shelled pistachios

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

1 large white onion, finely diced

1 red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced

1 serrano chile pepper (don't chop it unless you like things spicy!)

Kosher salt

1 pound ground turkey

1/2 teaspoon honey

1/4 cup half-and-half

Small handful fresh cilantro (soft stems included)

4 sesame buns

Directions:

Make the sauce: Heat the vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the ginger, garlic and chile pepper and cook until the ginger and garlic brown a little, about 1 minute. Add the garam masala and paprika and cook 30 seconds. Add the tomato sauce and 1 cup water, stir and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the sloppy joes: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the raisins and pistachios and cook, stirring occasionally, until the raisins swell up and the pistachios toast slightly, about 1 minute. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Return the skillet to medium heat and add the remaining 1 to 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Add the cumin seeds and let sizzle about 10 seconds, then add the onion and bell pepper and cook until softened and starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the chile pepper and cook 2 more minutes, seasoning with salt. Add the turkey, breaking up the big lumps, and cook until opaque, about 5 minutes.

Add the prepared sauce to the turkey-and-onion mixture in the skillet. Stir and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the mixture thickens slightly, about 10 minutes.

Remove the whole chile pepper (unless you want to eat it, like my dad does!) and stir in the honey, half-and-half, raisins and pistachios. Taste for seasoning. Stir in the cilantro right before serving.

Toast the buns and fill with the sloppy joe mixture. Eat with your hands!