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Gentleman Joes
But Mom, they’re called Sloppy Joes! They’re supposed to be sloppy!
The first meal I ever learned to cook was Sloppy Joes, but when your mother is a professional food stylist, nothing is ever “sloppy”. I learned early on that making a great meal is not simply about it being good tasting, it is also very much about “presentation”, and Sloppy Joes are no exception.
As I got older and became more advanced in the kitchen, I often returned to the first meal I learned to prepare and added personal touches to the classic sandwich. Finally, after many years, I think I’ve mastered it…the perfect Sloppy Joe! So perfect, in fact, that calling it a “Sloppy Joe” seems to do it a true disservice. A more accurate name, I believe, is the Gentleman Joe.
When this photo was taken I tried to dress in a way befitting my gentlemanly dish. A Thomas Pink shirt (a nod to my Anglophile side), J. Crew tie (for that all-American look) and Belgian linen apron…an unrequested present from my mother.
Gentleman Joes
makes 6 sandwiches
Ingredients:
2 lbs. ground sirloin
1 medium onion, diced
1 cup your favorite prepared BBQ sauce (I use Paula Deen Smokey Apple Cinnamon BBQ Sauce)
Salt and pepper
3 cups leftover mashed potatoes
3 slices thick bacon, cooked crisp and chopped, drippings reserved
1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
6 sandwich buns
Directions:
In a large saute pan cook ground sirloin until just browned. Remove from pan and set aside. Drain beef fat from pan. Add reserved bacon fat and onion to pan and saute until onion is translucent. Add cooked beef and BBQ sauce. Reduce heat and simmer while heating potatoes.
In a medium sauce pan add potatoes, bacon and cheese. Cook over low heat until heated through.
To assemble put ½ cup potato mixture on the bottom of each sandwich bun. Top with a generous scoop of beef mixture and place bun top over.
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Reader Comments:
I love your recipes thank you for posting them I love your show too.
By Sandy Murphy on January 30, 2013
Love your cooking Paula.. I look at it and gain weight! Delicious.. Just bought a complete set of pots and pans love those also!
By Margaret on May 10, 2011
Wow! I made these tonight and they were sooo yummy!! I also made Paulas boston baked beans and fried corn to go along with it. My son has requested we have these as often as possible. 
By Jennie on September 22, 2010
Yum!
By tkmom on August 31, 2010
Loved the sloppy joes recipe, tried last night and defanitely added it to my repitoi of delicacies for an evening at home! thanxs
By t-2da-P on August 18, 2010
Great recipes, love em!!
By Gentlemanjoe on July 11, 2010
These sound delightful. We are a sloppy joe fan ...these will be over the top! We must try !! I just told my husband about these ... I believe these will be one of our favorites. Thanks for sharing !! gina
By gina on June 08, 2010
Wow! Those look delish!! Can’t wait to try `em!
Anthony ~ how do you feel about older women?
Keep those recipes coming!
By Cathi on May 18, 2010
Anthony, these Gentlemen Joe’s sound delicious! I’m going to give them a try. I love the fact that they have mashed potatoes on them. I’m a potato girl so these will be a wonderful change! Thank you!
By Pam Martin on March 09, 2010
i love reading anything paula deen write’s and love her buttery dishes and smoothies—hope i spelled that right. keep-up the good cooking!!!!
By normajean on March 08, 2010
I THINK PAULA DEEN IS THE BEST SHE HAS THE BEST RECEIPES INTHE WORLD
By GRACE BANGHART on March 07, 2010
Lauren, glad you liked the recipe. It’s simple and delicious which is why I like it. There is always help needed in the kitchen around here. Where is “anywhere and everywhere”? I’m 24 btw.
By Anthony Lunsmann on March 06, 2010
Hey Terri Blackmore, love the saying. Big game tonight, hope we can win this one!
By Anthony Lunsmann on March 06, 2010
Hey cheri of bowling green, you can check out a picture of me on the contributors section of this website or look me up on facebook. Talk to you later!
By Anthony Lunsmann on March 06, 2010
Hey everybody, thanks for all of your comments and I’m glad that you like the recipe! I’m working on some things right now that y’all are really going to love so keep reading!
By Anthony Lunsmann on March 06, 2010
The recipe sounds delicious.
I would also like to see a picture of Anthony…
By Janet on March 06, 2010
Anthony, I could not help but notice your message to the “Duke Fans”. We use to say to the “State Fans” the following: “You can’t get to heaven in a red canoe, ‘cause God made the sky Carolina Blue”. I thought you might enjoy that one!
Your receipe looks delish and I definitely will be giving them a try!
From One Carolina Fan to Another!!!!
By Terri Blackmore on March 05, 2010
i just have to say, i tried them and they are so good.
so how old are you? and what do you want in a women?
i would love to come down and spend a day cooking with you all.
By lauren on March 05, 2010
where can I see this guys picture? I’m orginally from Cherry Point NC. :D
By cheri on March 05, 2010
where is a picture of this guy? I wanna SEE ‘EM!
By cheri on March 05, 2010
I was just braggin’ on my Mom a few days ago how she made homemade sloppy joes when we were kids. I going to try these on my hubby ~ Mom would be proud!
By Carla Binai on March 05, 2010
Wow - do those sound delicious! Will definitely try these for a Sunday afternoon supper. Thanks for sharing!
By Laura on March 05, 2010
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Dear Cindy,
I have learned something new. It has been quite a while since I have been to a baby shower, and I am now prepared and up-to-date. I love the term "sprinkles" and it is nice to know that men are also invited to partake in the excitement! Thank you for a fun article!
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Sandra in Baby Showers and Sprinkles on June 15, 2013 at 10:59 am
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