Recipe: Sloppy Joe with Onion Rings

Everything POP Shopping & Dining recently underwent a refurbishment of their menu. Some favorites disppeared and many soon-to-be favorites have been added. One of the is Sloppy Joes with Onion Rings. This delicious sandwich can be made at home by following the recipe below. Perfect for a retro family night!

Sloppy Joes with Onion Rings

Onion Rings
4 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup cornmeal
2 tablespoons Cajun spice
3 softball-sized Spanish onions

For onion rings:

1. Combine 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium shallow bowl; set aside.
2. Combine milk, water, beaten egg, 2 tablespoons flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a separate medium shallow bowl; set aside. Combine remaining 2 cups flour, cornmeal, and Cajun spice in a third medium shallow bowl; set aside.
3. Peel and cut onion into 1/2-inch thick slices. Separate the layers into rings. Working with a few rings at a time, place them into the first bowl, coating completely and shaking off excess flour. Dip into milk mixture, letting excess drip off. Place into third bowl, coating completely, shaking off excess flour. Set coated onion rings onto a large baking sheet. Once all rings are coated, refrigerate for 1 hour.
4. Pour enough oil into a deep pot to reach a depth of 2 inches. Heat to 350°F.
5. Working in batches, carefully place battered onion rings in hot oil and cook until they float to the surface, about 3 minutes. Transfer onion rings to a plate lined with paper towels to drain off excess oil. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Sloppy Joes
1 pound ground chuck
2 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
1 medium Spanish onion, finely diced
1/2 medium green bell pepper, finely diced
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 fresh jalapeno, deseeded and minced
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
4 hamburger buns, toasted
4 slices cheddar cheese

For sloppy joes:

1. Combine ground beef, onion, garlic, bell pepper, and salt in a large pot over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently to break up the beef, 20 minutes. Spoon off and discard grease from pot.
2. Add ground black pepper, Worcestershire, and crushed tomatoes, stirring to combine.
3. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook, stirring often, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
4. Scoop a generous portion of sloppy joe onto each bun; top each with a slice of cheese. Place 3 fried onion rings over cheese, and finish with top half of bun.
5. This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens and not tested for home use. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version.