Making a good thing better: These sloppy Joes will appeal to kids and adults alike
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, plus extra for seasoning
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
4 hamburger buns
1. Combine 1 tablespoon water and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in a small bowl. In a large bowl, toss beef with baking soda mixture and 1/2 teaspoon salt until thoroughly combined. Set aside.
2. Heat oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and remaining 1/8 teaspoon baking soda and stir to coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in sugar, paprika, pepper flakes and remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring constantly, until paprika is fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, until paste is rust-colored, 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Add beef and cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until beef is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Mash beef with a potato masher until fine-textured, about 1 minute. Add ketchup, vinegar and Worcestershire and stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits.
4. Combine cornstarch and the remaining 1 tablespoon water in small bowl, then pour the cornstarch mixture over the beef and stir to incorporate. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and coats the beef, about 1 minute. Season with salt, extra sugar, and extra vinegar to taste. Spoon the beef mixture onto buns and serve.
Recipe note: You may substitute 90% lean ground beef in this recipe, but the cooked mixture will be a bit less tender.
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