Big Batch Cooking with Canadian Beef

 

Just as the name suggests, I present to you, EPIC Sloppy Joes!

These were such a last minute decision to make for dinner, and yet turned out to be truly Epic on multiple fronts. Not only were they awesome, but they were super simple, easily vegetarian adaptable, and the biggest kid had an EPIC tantrum when I wouldn’t give him seconds because he didn’t finish his veggies. 

I’m talking, head’s going to start spinning around on his shoulders any second now, tantrum (If you have, or have had a 3-5 year old, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about). He was sent to his room after he refused to stop yelling at the top of his lungs “I WANT ANOTHER BURGER!!”.

I often make Sloppy Joes when I’m feeling lazy, when I’m big batch cooking with ground beef. What is big batch cooking you ask? Check out this short clip from my friends over at Canadian Beef.

Big Batch cooking is a lifesaver for me. As a busy mom, I don’t always have time to prepare a meal entirely from scratch each night. This is why I often pre-cut veggies, or pre-cook/repurpose meats to stretch their use over multiple meals. When it comes to ground beef, I like to cook once, eat thrice!! Simply put, the ability to create three (or sometimes more!) meals out of one big batch of cooking. If you’ve read my blog before you know how I’m a huge fan of the versatility of ground beef, this is why it’s the perfect meat for this type of cooking. 

Some of my favorite “cook once, eat thrice” meals are:

 A fun tip that I often use for big batch ground beef cooking is to make your “solid” meals first, ie: meatballs and meatloaf. We almost always have leftover meat loaf as it’s something that Mr.MoreThanYourAverageMom doesn’t enjoy as leftovers. On day 2, I’ll crumble up the leftover meatloaf and mix with taco spice to create tacos or burritos. Along the same lines, I’ll take any leftover taco beef and mix it with sloppy joe seasoning to create a third meal! Possibilities are nearly endless! 

The fantastic folks over at Canadian Beef are sending SIX Canadian Bloggers to the amazing Eat, Write, Retreat. Keep your fingers crossed for me as I would love, love, LOVE to attend! Thanks Canadian Beef!!