Hey guys! Well they weren't lying! Nemo dumped a good amount of the white stuff over the tri state area. We got about 7 inches! Poor Connecticut got 38 inches!!! NUTSO! I'm happy with the amount we got. Enough to make it officially a snow day without feeling like we are snowbound and isolated. Like the awful feelings we had in the wake of Sandy.
Today we have the Walking Dead marathon on in anticipation of tomorrow night's premiere! Can't wait! And for lunch we had super yummy Sloppy Joe Squares! They are super simple to make and really really yummy...especially on a chilly day like today! As a kid my mom made traditional sloppy joes and they were always a family favorite. This version is not only easy but the neatness of them is very appealing...and the biscuity goodness that they're enveloped in takes the sloppy joe to another level. I know kiddos would probably love them! Keep reading for the recipe!
We are taking the day to clean the house...at least in the areas that still feel like a house. We're dusting, mopping, and organizing. I'm sure some of you have gone through some sort of home renovation where things were completely turned upside down, but you don't feel sane unless you keep that tiny livable area in some semblance of order. Probably about one half of our first floor is ok. But the other is totally unfinished, cold, and looks like a storage facility. So we have crammed everything that we need for everyday living into one area. Yes, it does feel like the walls are closing in on us sometimes. But in an attempt to maintain sanity (who am I kidding...I haven't been acquainted with sanity in years!!) we decided to take this snow day to clean up a bit so that tomorrows creative endeavors can be approached with less baggage in tow.
In order to mop Aaron pulled the furniture out and Jack, liking his new vantage point by the front window, took it as a cue to sit up high in order to keep a stern eye on our shoveling neighbors. I mean who knows...without ole snake eyes on watch they could end up stealing some of our snow!
And then this little old man figured it didn't take two guys for that job.
We had some paint left on our palette so we went outside to play a bit! When I was little I did this with food coloring...which was soo fun! Today we had acrylic paint, watered it down, and just let it drip! Silly? Yes...Fun? Yes! Snow cupcake!
Even though it is cold out there it is really bright and fresh...I loved taking deep breaths.
Ok so now for that recipe!!
Sloppy Joe Squares
1 tbs butter or olive oil
1 medium sized onion
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
2 garlic cloves minced
1 lb ground beef
1 cup ketchup
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
3 tbs Worcestershire sauce ( I use Lea & Perrins)
1 tbs red wine vinegar
3 tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp mustard powder
You will also need:
2 cans Pillsbury Big & Buttery crescent rolls
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (we used a block of Tillamook Sharp Cheddar)
First, heat your oven to 350 degrees.
In a large skillet, melt your butter (or heat olive oil) and add your onion and garlic (and crushed red pepper flakes if using them)...cook until soft. Add your meat and cook until browned. Drain the grease.
Now, add the salt, pepper, mustard powder, chili powder, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, and water, stir until well combined, and reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, uncovered.
Next, in a 9x13 ungreased baking pan, roll out your one roll of crescent dough. Press into the bottom and about 1/2 inch up on the sides of the pan.
Now, evenly spread the sloppy joe filling over dough.
Spread your cheese evenly over the filling, and then cover the filling with the other roll of dough.
Bake for 30-35 minutes.
Let cool about 10 mins before eating.
These squares heat up perfectly the next day...if there are any left. ;)
Let me know if you make them!
Happy Snow Day to you friends! (even if you are just living vicariously through blogland friends)
xo Jenny