Handwritten Recipe: Sloppy Joes or Janes

This recipe is courtesy of Jessica - the friend who introduced me to so many awesome New England things.  She moved away but thankfully now lives close to our family in North Carolina, so we get to keep up.  We opted for the Sloppy Janes version of this - going vegetarian with lentils - and loved the outcome.  Another winning handwritten recipe!

1 1/4 lb ground beef

1 large onion, minced

1 green pepper (I chopped it)

1 tsp. salt

3/4 c. ketchup

2 Tbsp. sugar

2 Tbsp. dijon mustard

dash ginger

Brown ground beef.  Add veggies to pot and brown.  Add remaining ingredients.  Stir and simmer 30 minutes with the lid on.  Serves 6.

Variation: substitute cooked lentils for the beef (vegan version)

Update from Jessica: Yes, chop the green pepper.  Also, about two cups of cooked lentils would be an appropriate substitute for the beef.

This should tell you something about how delicious this was: I do not have any pictures of the created meal.  I was so hungry when it was time to eat it, and leftovers didn't last long.  This had a sweet and tangy kick (which must've been the ketchup-mustard combo), and I started dreaming about eating more of this when it's summer and I'm picnicking on the porch.

I'm not sure that "sloppy janes" are really a thing, but they should be.  I'm into lentils.  

I served this sandwich style, with slaw and green beans.  I think it would've also been delicious with cornbread or served over rice.  I may also work with the tangy-ness of the dish by adding either more mustard (or a different kind) or something like worcestershire sauce.  Yum!