137.0…Slow-Cooker Sloppy Joes & Alexia Waffle Fries

As part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker program, Foodbuzz recently sent me a coupon to try a free product from Alexia Foods. I had never purchased their products before and was excited to try them at home. I chose the Waffle Fries.

From Alexia’s website: “These crispy potatoes are lightly seasoned with a flawless blend of sea salt, pepper, onion and garlic to create an all-natural distinctive taste unlike anything you'll find in your usual fry.”

I followed their oven directions and baked the fries in a 400 degree oven on a cookie sheet lined with crumpled aluminum foil. The directions said to bake for 20-25 minutes. I ended up baking them for about 28 minutes…I like my fries crispy!

The verdict: I really enjoyed these fries!! The texture was spot on: crispy on the outside and perfect inside. Loved the seasonings! If you want fries that aren’t “fried” you have to try these!

Now through March 30th, you have a chance to help select the next Alexia french fry flavor by voting in their “Reinvent a Classic” campaign on Facebook! Just visit Facebook.com/AlexiaFoods and click on the “Reinvent a Classic” tab to vote for one of four gourmet french fry flavors created by other food bloggers.

To go with my waffle fries, I thought sloppy joes would fit the bill. But not just any sloppy joes….Slow-Cooker Sloppy Joes!

Slow-Cooker Sloppy Joes (Serves 4)

Slightly adapted from Southern Living

1 lb lean ground beef

1/2 small onion, chopped

1/4 medium-size green bell pepper, chopped

4 oz. tomato sauce

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup ketchup

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

1 Tbsp. cider vinegar

1 Tbsp. yellow mustard

1/2 Tbsp. chili powder

1/2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/4 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

4 hamburger buns, toasted

1. Brown beef with onion and bell pepper in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, stirring 10 minutes or until beef crumbles and is no longer pink. Drain well.

2. Place beef mixture in a slow cooker. Stir in tomato sauce and next 9 ingredients. Cover and cook on HIGH 4 hours. Serve on hamburger buns.

Cooktop Method: Proceed with recipe as directed in Step 1, returning drained beef mixture to Dutch oven. Stir in tomato sauce and next 8 ingredients, omitting flour. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes.

Note: To freeze leftover Sloppy Joe mixture, let cool completely. Place in zip-top plastic freezer bags; lay bags flat, and stack in freezer. Freeze up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge, or defrost in the microwave.

Printable Recipe

I ate my sloppy joe on a sandwich thin but my husband enjoyed his on regular hamburger buns….yes he ate two. They were that good! I love how you just dump stuff in the slow cooker and several hours later your dinner is done.

Along with the sloppy joes and fries, I decided we needed some veggies so I made a big salad.

I slept so well last night! I was asleep before 9PM last night. Exciting Friday night huh? :) Breakfast this morning was especially delicious.

Egg beaters scrambled with salsa, broccoli, onions, green bell peppers, diced ham and shredded cheddar cheese. I topped everything with a hefty dose of Tabasco.

I went to spin class, came home to shower and then took my son to boy scouts. Lunch was tuna salad on top of a big green salad.

We have family coming in to town tonight for my nephew’s birthday party tomorrow. I’m going to make a couple of appetizers to bring to my sister in law’s house tomorrow.

Enjoy your weekend!

Have you ever tried any of Alexia’s products? Any recommendations for me?

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