Recipe: Harry Belafonte's Sloppy Joe Shortcakes (using ground chicken or turkey)

HARRY BELAFONTE'S SLOPPY JOE SHORTCAKES

"These chicken or turkey sloppy joes, served over warm buttered drop biscuits, are much better than the standard variety made with ground beef and store-bought hamburger buns!"

FOR THE SLOPPY JOES:
2 tablespoons cooking oil
1 pound ground dark meat chicken or turkey
1 cup chopped yellow onions
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped tomatoes, fresh or canned
1 (24 ounce) can tomato puree
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
FOR THE DROP BISCUITS:
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup Crisco or other solid vegetable shortening
2/3 cup whole milk
4 teaspoons unsalted butter

TO MAKE THE SLOPPY JOES:
In a large cast-iron skillet, heat the oil on high until hot. Add the chicken and cook for 2 minutes.

Turn the heat to medium. Add the onions, celery, and tomatoes, and saute, stirring to prevent sticking, until the chicken is golden brown, about 15 minutes.

Add the tomato puree, salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir to mix well. Turn the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove the cover and continue simmering another 30 minutes, adding water if the mixture becomes too dry.

Serve over warm biscuits that have been cut in half and buttered.

TO MAKE THE BISCUITS:
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet.

Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.

Add the vegetable shortening and milk at the same time. Stir with a fork until the mixture makes a ball in the bowl. Stop stirring as soon as the dough holds together. If you overmix the dough, the biscuits will be tough instead of light and flaky. Drop the dough onto the baking sheet by rounded tablespoonfuls, keeping the mounds of dough about 1 inch apart.

Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden. Remove from the baking sheet and cool briefly. While the biscuits are still warm, cut them in half and spread with the butter.

Makes 3-4 servings
Source: The Hole in the Wall Gang Cookbook: Kid-Friendly Recipes for Families to Make Together by Paul Newman and A.E. Hotchner