Modified Sloppy Joes

1 package lean ground turkey
1 can Manwhich Sloppy Joe Sauce
2 medium onions
5 cloves of garlic
1/2 bag frozen "southwest" mix veggies (corn, peppers, black beans, ??)
1/3 bag frozen peas
2t tomato paste (optional. I use tomato paste in a tube so I can use what I want and not waste)
salt
pepper
red pepper flakes
whole wheat buns
1 bunch asparagus

Trim the tops and bottoms off of the onions and cut in half length wise. Remove the outer skin/paper and slice into 1/4 inch or smaller pieces (half circles). Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and add some olive oil. Make sure the oil doesn't smoke. Add the onions and a little salt and cook until tender and browned. While cooking the onions, smash the cloves of garlic with the side of your knife and remove the outer paper. Slice thinly and then mince. Once the onions are cooked, add the garlic and tomato paste and cook for 30 sec to a minute. Then add the frozen mixed veggies and peas and cook until thawed and warm. This should only take a couple of minutes. Place mixture into a medium bowl.

Add a little more oil to the skillet and then break up the turkey into the skillet. Cook until brown, chopping the turkey into smaller pieces as you cook it. Add pepper and red chill flakes to the turkey as it cooks. Once cooked, add the Manwhich sauce and coat the meat. Add the mixed veggies back into the skillet and mix until warm. Turn off the heat.

Cook the asparagus however you want. First wash and trim the spears. I trim the spears by holding each end of an individual spear in each hand (the side with the top I hold below the top) with your index finger and thumb. Bend the spear until it snaps. Discard the lower/thicker part. You'll learn to adjust where you hold it and how you flex it so that you get the tender parts most of the time. Here are two cooking methods:

- Steam: Place the asparagus in a steamer basket (I use bamboo) over water set on high heat. I time it for 8 minutes from the time I turn on the burner with cold water.
- Roast: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Place the spears on a cookie sheet and add a little olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat. Once the oven is hot, place the cookie sheet in and cook for 8-10 minutes.

Spoon a generous helping of the sloppy joe mixture onto a bun and serve with the asparagus (or a veggie of your choice, or not since there are lots of veggies in the sloppy joe).

Below are pictures from my phone as I cooked: