
Have your brew and eat it too!
Some foods trigger memories from your past. It doesn’t matter how long it’s been since I had a bite from a Sloppy Joe sandwich, but a Sloppy Joe is nonetheless like a time machine straight back to my youth. Imagine my joy when I flipped through The Craft Beer Cookbook by Jacquelyn Dodd (better known on these pages as The Beeroness) and came across a Sloppy Joe recipe. Her version transports my palate to a simpler time and enlivens one of my favorite childhood memories with the adult pleasure of stout. Chorizo Stout Sloppy Joes (page 121) brings me back and catapults me forward. The Craft Beer Cookbook makes it possible to have beer for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Heck how about dessert too? There are 100 recipes for cooking with beer in this book.
Some are modern takes on classics– so get your own time machine ready. But there are also creative new ways to bring flavor and dimension to your cooking through beer. All kinds of beer.
The Craft Beer Cookbook
Dodd starts this exploration with useful information about beer in general. She provides a look at the history of beer, as well as some definitions of different styles of beer. If you’re unsure just what makes a pilsner a lager and not an ale, this book offers up the information in a way that makes sense to cooks. After all, this is a cookbook. A cookbook where beer is a vital ingredient and not just splashed in as a novelty. Dodd’s deep understanding of the layered flavors in beer leads her to present recipes that benefit fundamentally from its addition.
Beer is a natural in yeasty breads and Dodd includes several chewy choices. You can even make Hamburger Buns with beer– wheat beer of course (page 96). Red Ale provides just the right bite to offset the creaminess of her Butternut Squash Bisque (page 100) and chocolate stout adds rich sophistication to a Cake with Chocolate Raspberry Ganache (page 184).
There are many recipes that I know I will try. However, the moment I opened The Craft Beer Cookbook I knew that a Sloppy Joe was first on my list.
Honestly I haven’t eaten a Sloppy Joe since I was about 9 years old. When I was growing up Sloppy Joes were a kid-friendly sandwich that appealed to my carnivorous mom and dad, making it a fun family meal. My mom used to bring all the ‘extras’ to the table so that each kid could customize their sandwich as they pleased. Layers of sliced cheese always found their way onto my bun. My dad liked a scattering of raw onions and everybody ate bread-and-butter pickles on the side.
But somehow as my mother’s interest in gourmet food developed, the Sloppy Joe fell out of her dinnertime rotation. So you see, I need this book and its time machine in my life.
As much as I loved my mom’s version, I’m all grown up now and appreciate Dodd’s sophisticated take on a childhood favorite. She uses ground pork instead of hamburger. That makes sense to me. She spices things up too– with Mexican chorizo and cumin. Two things my mom would never have considered. Of course, the dark malty flavors in stout bring this classic full circle for me. GREG
Wow, my husband will LOVE this cookbook — or it’s more like want me to have this cookbook. 😀 And this recipe sounds really great. I haven’t made sloppy joes and always look out for a good recipe. I will make this this weekend!
Interesting cookbook. Although I’m not so well at cooking but cooking with beer makes me curious and I’m gonna try it soon.
Love these sloppy joes — divine! Will have to check out this book!
What a fun cookbook! Never knew Jackie was the author till now, thanks for sharing 🙂
It’s been years — decades! — since I’ve had a sloppy joe. And I don’t think I’ve ever made one — always something my mom (or the school cafeteria) served. This looks like a lot of fun — good job with this. Thanks.
I actually enjoy a sloppy joe every now and then but I haven’t used chorizo in it before. That’s a great idea.
it has been some time since I had a sloppy joe myself and yet it brings back memories, It would b perfect after work fare, filling and satisfying that carnivorous void.
I don’t know that I’ve had a sloppy joe ever. I am all for cooking with beer though. Actually, cooked is my preferred form of beer.
Jacqui does such an amazing job — it’s no surprise her book is awesome. What a great review.
I don’ t know if I’ve ever eaten a sloppy joe made from scratch! Must fix that ASAP, especially considering how good this pork & chorizo combination sounds.
I just pulled the Hamburger Buns out of the oven. I have to admit that my husband & I couldn’t resist cutting one up and slathering it with butter while it was warm — just heavenly! I also took my cookbook to Cost Plus World Market and bought a variety of beer for several bookmarked recipes! LOL!
We made the Stout Chicken Pot Pie last week — it was incredible. Next up, Pulled Pork!
Digging all the porky-ness of this sloppy joe. Who said a good joe had to be all beef anyways?!
Love this Sloppy Joe recipe! Chorizo is just delicious! I’m going to look for that cookbook!
I’ve made bolognese sloppy joe’s before, but chorizo is a better idea!
I need that book!!!! Cause I wanna get sloppy with these sandwiches. Asap!
I gotto go grab this book. SOUNDS awesome. Being a big fan of sloppy joes..I am completely craving one now.
Is there a crown or a tiara for this lady?? Someone get her one stat and bling it out with some beer bottle caps!
Thank you so much! Such a wonderful write up about my book, I’m truly honored.