Sloppy Joe Hits Puberty. Ooh, He’s Hot Now.

It didn’t happen to our neighbor overnight — first a leaner body, a little under arm hair (sorry for the visual) and a deeper voice. All of a sudden he’s grown a beard and about two feet taller.

It took some time for our Sloppy Joe to grow up too, this version’s aged with ground pork and Asian seasonings for an adult take on a fun party meal.

Grown Up Sloppy Joe

Serves 6

• 3 count pour oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• Kosher salt
• 2 celery stalks, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, minced
• 1 serrano pepper, seeds removed, minced
• 1/2 cup crushed pineapple with juice
• 2 pounds ground pork
• 2 tablespoons Hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
• Paste of 1 cup hot water, 1 tablespoon Hoisin, 1 tablespoon ketchup
• Soft white hamburger buns, toasted
• Asian slaw

1. Sauté onion in oil until translucent. Add garlic and salt, cook for about a minute then add celery, bell pepper, serrano pepper and pineapple. Simmer for about 5 minutes until vegetables are soft. Remove from pan and set aside.
2. Brown pork thoroughly then add vegetables, Hoisin, tomato paste, ketchup, rice vinegar and soy sauces to pot.
3. Make a paste of water, Hoisin and ketchup then add to the mixture as it cooks down.
4. Simmer until warmed through and sloppy.
5. Serve on toasted buns piled with Asian slaw.

Asian Slaw

• 2 carrots, grated
• 1 medium daikon, grated
• 1 green apple, grated
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 large pieces candied ginger, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

1. Combine all items in a large bowl and toss.

These Sloppy Joe’s can be made into bite-size sliders for your next cocktail party — don’t forget the napkins.