I found this recipe in Every Day with Rachael Ray, and I immediately wanted to try it! I like the idea of sloppy joes, although I never really eat/make them, and this spicy Indian version seemed like the perfect opportunity. I modified the recipe to give it more of a kick, and I used ground sirloin instead of ground lamb because I wanted a leaner cut of meat.

I served them with crispy oven fries, and the filling was great the next day over brown rice, too!

Indian-Style Sloppy Joes
(Adapted from Every Day with Rachael Ray)

1 lb ground sirloin
1 T olive oil
1/2 onion, diced
3/4-inch piece of ginger, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
kosher salt
black pepper
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
8 oz can of tomato sauce
1 T honey
butter, room temperature (for buns)
4 burger buns or kaiser rolls, split
fresh cilantro for garnish
sliced red onion for garnish

In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground sirloin and break up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5 minutes or until browned, then add the onion, ginger, and garlic. Season with salt, pepper, turmeric, cumin, coriander, chili powder, and red pepper flakes, then stir to combine. Cook for 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft.

Add the tomato sauce and honey. Fill the empty tomato sauce can halfway with water, then pour the tomato-water into the pan as well. Bring to a simmer and continue to cook for 10 minutes.

Serve on toasted, buttered buns, and garnish with cilantro and red onion.