Recipe: Oriental Sloppy Joes (crock pot)

ORIENTAL SLOPPY JOES

"Serve this filling on sesame seed buns or in pita pockets. Provide thinly sliced pickled ginger root and some fresh green onion shoots for toppings."

Cooking time: 2-3 hours
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Attention: Minimal
Crock pot size: 3-5 quarts

1 onion
1 clove garlic
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
1/4 cup water chestnuts
3 green onions
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
1/2 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
Sesame seed buns or pita pockets (for serving)
Thinly sliced pickled ginger root (for topping)
Fresh green onion shoots (for topping)

Thinly slice the onion; crush and mince the garlic. Saute the onion and garlic in the sesame oil in a pan over low heat. Transfer, with oil, to the slow cooker.

Saute the meat in a pan over medium heat until browned; drain. Add to the slow cooker.

Slice the water chestnuts and green onions. Dissolve the cornstarch in water; stir in the vinegar, soy sauce, and salt. Add the sliced vegetables and the cornstarch mixture to the slow cooker.

Cover crock pot and heat on a LOW setting for 2 to 3 hours.

Serve on sesame seed buns or in pita pockets. Provide thinly sliced pickled ginger root and some fresh green onion shoots for toppings.

TIP - Serving Sizes:
A good party strategy is to keep the bowls and plates small. This will give guests more reason to move around the party and mingle with different people, while having the chance to try all of your different foods a little at a time.

Makes 8 servings
Adapted from source: The Everything Slow Cooking for a Crowd Cookbook by Katie Thompson