Sloppy Joes Texas Style

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• Olive or canola oil, as needed
• ½ cup water
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 minced garlic clove or ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 chopped red or green bell pepper
• ½ chopped large yellow onion (or 1 small)
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 12 slices American cheese
• 6 slices Texas Toast (see note)

Instructions:

1. Heat a large skillet over moderate heat.
2. Add a splash of oil.
3. Add the ground beef, bell pepper, onion, and minced garlic (if using fresh).
4. Cook, stirring often and breaking up any large chunks of meat with a wooden spoon, until the meat is browned through.
5. Drain off any excess grease.
6. Reduce the heat to low.
7. Add water, ketchup, mustard, garlic (if using powder), Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar to the skillet.
8. Stir well, then cook for about 8 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
9. Meanwhile, preheat the broiler.
10. Broil the Texas toast until golden.
11. Once the toast is golden, place a slice of cheese on each piece and broil for half a minute until the cheese begins to melt.
12. Spoon some of the beef mixture over each piece of toast with cheese. Add another slice of cheese on top.
13. Broil again until the cheese is fully melted.
14. Serve the Sloppy Joes Texas Style hot.

Enjoy your flavorful and cheesy Sloppy Joes Texas Style!