Sloppy Maple-BBQ Turkey Joes

I am not the domestic diva I dream of being. I like to cook, but I don't have a lot of confidence in that area. My dad is an amazing cook and he truly loves it, so I have been a little spoiled in that area over the years.

Last week I tried this Sloppy Maple-BBQ Turkey Joes recipe from the March 2011 edition of Every Day with Rachael Ray.

I apologize for the photo quality, I took them with my iPhone.

 

(Makes 8 Sloppy Sammies) 

1 tablespoon EVOO (extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/2 pounds ground turkey or ground turkey breast

(I ended up using a package that was 1.25 pounds and it was fine)

1 tablespoon poultry seasoning 

(a scant palmful)

Salt and pepper

1 small red bell pepper, chopped

1 small onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 cup tomato sauce

1/4 cup dark amber pure maple syrup

About 3 tablespoons soy sauce

About 2 tablespoons cider vinegar

About 2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 rounded tablespoon dijon mustard

8 soft burger rolls, split

Shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese, chopped scallions and chopped pickles, for topping

In a large skillet, heat the EVOO, 1 turn of the pan, over medium-high heat. 

Add the turkey and season with the poultry seasoning, salt and pepper. 

Cook until browned, then stir in the bell pepper, onion and garlic and cook until the vegetables are tender, 5 to 6 minutes. 

In a bowl, stir together the tomato sauce, maple syrup, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar and mustard. 

Pour the sauce over the meat and simmer over medium-low heat for a few minutes to combine the flavors. Serve the sloppy turkey on the rollls with the toppings. 

They turned out yummy and were super easy. I skipped the scallions all together and put cheddar and dill pickles on the top of mine. I mean, two of my favorite foods right there, so why not? Pepper jack would be really delicous too, I think. They were a good compromise meat and vegetable wise also because I don't eat beef a lot, so I was pleased with the ground turkey breast, where R is basically a carnivore. I think they would be really tasty with some shredded carrots added in too and perhaps a tiny bit of honey. You could make it completely vegetarian with some MorningStar Meal Starters Grillers Recipe Crumbles. R had his with tater tots. I tried to be somewhat healthy and had mine with sweet potato fries. I will definitely be making these again! They received approval from my dad and that is saying a lot.

And to remember how lucky I am, a short list of things I'm grateful for today:
R taking Miss S to the grocery store so I could get some rest
Temperatures above 55 degrees in Utah in February
The most fluffy, perfect, plush purple towels in the universe
Cloth diapers
Lady Gaga's egg arrival on the Grammy red carpet to remind me life is to have fun with

What are you thankful for today?