I'm so very glad you played with the Sloppy Joe recipe. That's what cooking is all about. And that's what I try to convey in my cookbooks. I want people to use the recipes as a start off point, and if they don't know a technique, to use the one I provide. Then, when they become a little more confident, play with the recipe, make it their own. For instance, in my Poultry Cookbook, I give three or four different Chicken Noodle Soup recipes. This gives the reader the knowledge that there are many ways to make anything. And all of them are probably valid. But the basic technique is the same for all of them. They are variations on a theme.

You appear to me to be a natural. You already have that dynamic going for you. And go ahead and tell your DH that the Sloppy Joe recipe is your own creation. He'll be proud of your cooking prowess. Just be careful. Once you start making extraordinary food on a regular basis, you'll find that you won't be satisfied by the foods in most restaurants. You might find yourself saying things to yourself like; My chicken is juicier than this, and not so greasy; or maybe; Wow! They used so much salt on this I can't hardly eat it. And don't even get me started on restaurant veggies. They are usually badly overcooked and soggy/mushy. Also, you might just get more popularity than you bargained for, at pot lucks, parties, Hollidays, etc.

Great job. You make me proud, Grasshoppah. :-)

Seeeeeeya; Goodweed of the North

Goodweed, I made sloppy Joes the other night. I put your recipe beside the stove, I browned the beef, cooked the onions and garlic, then realized I wasn't in the mood to follow a recipe so I through in some mushrooms, salsa, a can of beans, worstershire sauce, salt and pepper and slapped it on toasted buns. DH loved it and said "tell that guy his recipe is really good!" (it was still sitting beside the stove and he didn't know I strayed from it). Just had to tell you my little story!

Thanks, I will play around with it and let you know how it turns out.

Sloppy Joe's don't have to have kidney beans in them. But it does add body to the recipe. You can also add sweet pickle relish if you want, or change things up by adding some liquid smoke, or your favorite barbecue sauce. The recipe I gave you was just one of a thousand variations on a theme.

Hey Goodweed, how are you doing? Has your wife got a date for surgery yet. Let me know so I can keep her in my thoughts and prayers, having just gone through the whole thing. Hope you had a good time with your family and seeing the new grandbaby. If you want, I can give you a never-fail apple pie filling....if you haven't perfected it by now! Maybe I will see you at the tub sometime soon.

Hey Goodweed, how's it going? Sorry I haven't been round the "tub" in awhile but 2 knee surgeries in a month and I can't get my leg wet for another week. Hope all is well with you. We will have to get together and share some good eats again soon!

Thanks Goodweed, it is an honour and a privilege to be your friend as well!

Hey Laurie; Thanks for the freindship request. I'll be your freind anytime, and proud of it.

Seeeeeya; Goodweed of the North