Tex-Mex Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chiles
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1/4 cup chili sauce
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
• 6 hamburger buns, split
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened

Instructions

1. 1

   Brown the beef: In a large skillet, cook the beef and onion over medium heat for six to eight minutes or until the beef is no longer pink, breaking up the beef into crumbles as it cooks. Drain the fat and juices. Add the garlic, and cook the mixture one to two minutes longer. Editor's Tip: Adding garlic once the meat is cooked prevents it from burning and infusing a bitter taste into the entire dish.

2. 2

   Add the sauce ingredients: Stir in the ketchup, chiles, broth, chili sauce, chili powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat, and simmer the mixture, uncovered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Editor's Tip: The sauce may splatter a bit, so use a splatter guard if you like. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can adjust it with a splash of broth or water.

3. 3

   Toast the buns and build the joes: Meanwhile, spread the cut sides of the buns with butter. Place them on baking sheets, buttered side up. Broil them 4 inches from the heat for one to two minutes or until they're toasted. Serve the beef mixture in the buns with pickle slices, if desired.