Sloppy Phils

Groundhog Day is just a few days away.  This is the day on which the great prognosticator of winter, the groundhog, emerges from his hole and looks for his shadow to determine if we will have an early Spring.  In the US, Punxsutawney Phil is the most popular of these groundhog predictors.  On those years when Phil sees a continuation of winter, my family marks Groundhog Day with a supper of Sloppy Phils.

These are, of course, simple Sloppy Joes but slightly more rustic.  Also, I don't use actual Groundhog.  Although I'm aware it can be eaten, I'm not up for digging around holes in the ground to accomplish my task.

Sloppy Phils (makes 6-8)

• 1 lb lean ground beef, ground turkey, or any combination of ground meats*
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup green bell pepper
• 1/2 teas garlic powder
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 teas Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teas liquid smoke
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• salt and pepper to taste
• hamburger buns (lettuce leaves for lettuce wraps work here too)

In a medium skillet, brown the ground meat, breaking it up as it cooks.  Drain.  (We also rinse to get rid of extra fat but this is optional.)  Set aside cooked meat.
In the same pan as before, saute the onion and pepper in just a little oil until the onion is translucent.  Return the ground meat to the pan.
Add the garlic, mustard, Worcestershire, liquid smoke, ketchup, and brown sugar to the skillet and stir.   Simmer 30 minutes.  Salt and pepper to taste.
Serve on sliced buns,