Loose Meat Sandwiches

Our version with added bread and butter pickles, a side of homemade french fries and a cold beer.

I have to confess my ignorance here. I never heard of  Loose Meat Sandwiches until this election year during the current coverage of the political campaigning in Iowa prior to the Iowa Caucuses. Apparently Loose Meat Sandwiches are a Hawkeye State specialty. I heard them being talked about during a lighter side news coverage segment of the campaign this morning. Lisa and I decided to find out what the heck they were, how they differed from "tight meat" sandwiches and how we could make them in our very own test kitchen here in Georgia. 

We found out quickly that the founder of an Iowa based restaurant chain - Maid-Rite originated these sandwiches back in the 1920's and that they couldn't be easier to make. Not surprisingly, as their name implies, they are loose meat sandwiches, basically Sloppy Joes without the slop. Their flavor comes from a few key ingredients: a good grade of ground beef, onions, garlic powder (we used minced garlic), yellow mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. We also used a little white vinegar.

Ingredients

1 lb ground chuck

1 medium onion, minced (reserve some for garnish)

1 Tbsp yellow mustard

1 Tbsp white vinegar

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 tsps. sugar

1 clove garlic minced

salt and pepper to taste

6 hamburger buns

Sliced pickles

Instructions

Heat a large saute pan or skillet on medium heat.

Add onion and cook until translucent

Add ground beef and cook until browned

Mix in the other ingredients until well combined

Serve on toasted hamburger buns topped with minced onions and pickles and a side of fries. Have a fork handy because the loose meat is going to tumble out of the bun with every bite.

Bacon Chocolate Shot Glasses Whoah!

Have to share this with you from another food blog - http://throughtheeyesofmybelly.com/

Thank you Through the Eyes of My Belly!  Very clever!

I will update with photos of us making them here.

How to make bacon and chocolate shot glasses

Roasted Cauliflower With Indian Spices

This will totally change your perception of cauliflower. Addictive!

Ingredients

1 head Cauliflower

3 cloves Garlic, minced

1 Tsp Chili Powder

1/2 tsp crushed hot pepper flakes

1 tsp powdered Cumin

1 tsp Garam Masala
1 tsp Turmeric

4 Tbsp Olive Oil

1/4 cup Cilantro leaves, chopped

1/2 Lime, juiced

Salt to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 F. 

Separate the Cauliflower into small to medium florets and spread them out in a shallow roasting pan

In a bowl, mix together the garlic, chili powder, red pepper flakes, cumin, turmeric, garam masala, salt and olive oil

Pour the spice and olive oil mixture over the florets and toss gently to mix together and coat well.

Roast for 40 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.

When done, remove from oven, dress with lime juice and the chopped cilantro leaves.