Sloppy Joes

I no longer buy canned sloppy joe mix or the packets because the flavor of homemade is so much better. No weird after taste for me. I finally discovered what it was that I did not like about sloppy joes and that was the canned or packet stuff. I'll never go back to the packaged stuff. Making your own is not much harder than opening the can and the trade off in taste is unbelieveable. This recipe also freezes well although you sometimes have to add water to get the consistency right after reheating. I found this recipe in a Cook's Country magazine. I'm not sure what issue as it was in the year end collection book they print.

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped fine
1/2 teaspoon table salt
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 pound 85 percent lean ground beef
Ground black pepper
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 cup tomato puree
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
4 hamburger buns

1. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onion and salt and stir until coated with oil. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft, about 10 minutes (if onion begins to burn after 5 minutes, reduce heat to low). Add garlic and chili powder and cook, uncovered, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add beef and cook, breaking up meat with wooden spoon, until just pink, about 3 minutes.
2. Add 1/4 teaspoon pepper, brown sugar, tomato puree, ketchup, water, and hot sauce. Simmer until Sloppy Joe sauce is slightly thicker than ketchup, 8 to 10 minutes. Adjust seasonings. Spoon meat mixture onto hamburger buns and serve.