Homemade Manwich Sloppy Joes

 

That title could be a bit misleading.  5 years ago "Manwich style" would have meant, "Hey, grab me that can, would you?"  Then in May 2013 M was diagnosed with ADHD which included a side of an impulsive disorder.  He was flooding the school bathrooms just because he literally couldn't help it.  We've also wondered, pretty much his whole life, if maybe he's got a little Asperger's going on as well.  It's a diagnosis we might start looking into depending on how this next school year goes.

When your child is diagnosed with ADHD the first thing that comes to mind is, "Are we going to medicate?" 

 

This is not an easy decision to make.  We often joke, "If only there was a magic pill....."  Then you have a doctor saying that there IS a magic pill.  After some trial and error that is.

Please understand that I'm not against medications for anything.  I'm not gonna go all Tom Cruise on anyone.  It's just a really hard situation to be in as a parent.  We tried one medication that turned M into a little zombie.  He would just lay there.  It took away all of his energy, and I really didn't like it.  It was the only medication we could afford.  The good medication I would like to try is $260 a month, $200 of that out of pocket.  Which just doesn't work when you live paycheck to paycheck as it is.

I decided that it was time to start cutting out a lot of the additives we consume on a daily basis, and see if that helps.  I want to stray from store bought items as much as possible.  (Something I've thought a lot about anyway.  When I can peaches I add peaches, water, and sugar.  Look at a can of peaches at the store and you'll have several added ingredients you know nothing about.  It just doesn't sit well with me.)

Anyway, I've tried a few different Sloppy Joe recipes over the past year, but none have come close to Manwich. 

 

Every now and then a girl just needs a good Manwich Sloppy Joe. 

 

After months of trial and error I think I've found the perfect recipe.  It's obviously a bit more work than opening a can, but honestly, this is easily made while you're browning the hamburger, and so much better for you, and as Big Sis said as I passed her plate over, "Mmmmm, homemade is always yummy!"  She usually hates Sloppy Joes.  We had this two nights in a row without complaint!  Pretty impressive in this family!  This recipe gets 5 stars.  All 5 family members approve.

 

Copy Cat Manwich

 

1 lb. ground beef

1 tbsp. chopped green onion  (any onion would work, but g/o are perfect for amount called for here)

1/2 tsp. dried minced garlic

1 tbsp. finely diced bell pepper (I use red)

6 oz. can tomato paste

1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar

2 tbsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp. chili powder

Pinch of allspice

1 cup of water

Directions:
Brown ground beef.  In separate pan sauté onion, garlic and bell pepper in a little butter.  After veggies have softened, add tomato paste.  Continue to add ingredients one at a time, stirring well after each addition.  Drain browned hamburger and add to Sloppy Joe sauce.