Hi, I'm Rachel.

A few years ago I could barely boil water.

True story.

Determined to be a kick ass wife, I developed a love for football and learned to cook in my tiny Jersey City kitchen. I spend my days working in Manhattan, my nights and weekends chasing after a rambunctious toddler, and the hours in between cooking with my husband and feeding my TV habit...oh, and I blog about it all! 

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Wednesday
Sep292010

Greek-style "Sloppy Joes"

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Last week I decided to create a meal based on things I already had around the house. Like my skillet chicken parmesean, it's all about getting creative and working with whatcha got. There's nothing more fun than working with a stocked pantry and Shaun and I try to eat what we have before hitting up the grocery store to replenish our goods. I had a freezer full of various meats and a crisper full of veggies. Since I always try to keep things fresh around here for TAA readers (and let's face it, it's just not fun to eat the same things over and over again), I concocted a new recipe using a package of ground turkey, some veggies and my new favorite ingredient, Greek yogurt.

Put all of that together and what do you get? A delicious, fresh 'sloppy joe' style sandwich that's hearty and packs some major flavor. I changed up a few traditional Greek flavors, though, to make this work for me. For example, instead of cucumbers which never seem to sit well in the tum despite the fact that I love them, I substituted fresh diced zucchini for a bit of crunch, health value and gorgeous green color. Isn't it pretty? Served up on a potato roll or sandwich thin, this meal is a bit messy but full of flavor thanks to some crumbled Feta cheese and diced tomatoes. Oh and don't forget the simple yogurt sauce that holds it all together!

Greek-style ‘Sloppy Joes’
1 lb ground turkey (or lean beef if you prefer)
1 large can diced tomatoes (I use Red Pack)
1 zucchini, diced, with skin on
1 small onion, diced
1 C crumbled Feta cheese (I used reduced fat)
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 C Greek yogurt
1 clove garlic, minced (I use the jarred kind)
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp kosher salt + more for seasoning meat
olive oil
Rolls or sandwich thins

Heat a bit of olive oil in a skillet. Saute onions until soft. Add ground turkey, season with salt (and pepper if you like) and cook through, adding the Worcestershire sauce. Meanwhile, make the yogurt sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, paprika, garlic and salt until combined.

Add tomatoes, Feta and zucchini to skillet, along with the yogurt sauce. Mix altogether and cover. Cook for about 5 minutes or until zucchini is tender, but not too soft.

Serve on a roll with the top on or open faced. Enjoy!

Doesn't that look good enough to eat? I imagine that this dish would be equally as delicious over rice or quinoa as well. Heck, I had leftovers the next day for lunch and just ate the turkey mixture, sans carbs and it was divine! So what do you think? Have you ever whipped up something using only ingredients you had in the house? Without having to run out for fill-ins? Do tell!

PS - If you like what you see on The Avid Appetite, and you're intrigued by my Coconut Shrimp Curry, please vote for me to advance to Round 3 of Project Food Blog!

Reader Comments (4)

I'm not usually a big fan of sloppy joes but these look pretty tasty and easy...and not as "sloppy", if you will. Plus the hubs is a feta addict so it would be a win with him as well. Good luck!!

September 29, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterKatie @ Haute Apple Pie

what a clever recipe! I can't wait to try it! I bet you could also add some anti-inflammatory Turmeric!!

September 29, 2010 | Unregistered CommentertheHealthyapron

Sounds really good! I find traditional sloppy joes to be way too sweet. Yours sounds perfect!! :)

March 1, 2011 | Unregistered Commentersheila @ Elements

Thanks Sheila! So happy you found us!

March 1, 2011 | Registered CommenterRachel

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