Buffalo Sloppy Joes

This recipe combines the great flavors of bar-style buffalo chicken wings and the speed of putting together a pot of sloppy joes.  A good Lousiana-style hot sauce gives this dish the tart zing that replicates those great wings.  The creamy tang of the blue cheese tones down the heat just enough to make you want to keep eating more.

I used ciabatta rolls instead of hamburger buns.  Using a denser, harder roll prevented the buns from falling apart while eating.  I also used ground beef in preparing the pictured recipe.

Buffalo Sloppy Joes

2        pounds extra-lean ground turkey or beef

2        celery ribs; chopped

1        medium onion; chopped

1        medium carrot; grated

3        garlic cloves; minced

1        8 ounce can tomato sauce

½       cup chicken broth

¼       cup Louisiana-style hot sauce

2        tablespoons brown sugar

2        tablespoons red wine vinegar

1        tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

¼       teaspoon pepper

8        hamburger buns; split

1        cup crumbled blue cheese; optional

1. In a Dutch oven, cook the first five ingredients over medium heat until the ground beef or turkey is no longer pink. 

2. Stir in the tomato sauce, chicken broth, hot sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and pepper; heat through.

3. Serve on buns; sprinkle with blue cheese; if desired.