1.5 lb ground turkey  •  1 T extra virgin oil olive
1/2 an onion, minced  •  2 cloves garlic, minced
1-15oz can tomato sauce  •  2-3 T tomato paste
1 C water, warmed  •  1 T salt  •  white pepper to taste
2 pkgs mini-slider buns

My kids go crazy over these sliders, they are just the right size for their small mouths and oh so finger lickin’ good! Parents, prepare for a little bit of a mess, but a whole lot of eating. And don’t forget about the adults, who can resist the classic sloppy joe? While my family enjoys this dish from time to time for lunch or dinner, I also serve these for parties I am hosting with lots of finger foods and appetizers, usually during a sporting event, it just seems appropriate.

Prep: In a large stock pot brown ground turkey, drain and set aside. Saute the onions and garlic in the extra virgin olive oil until tender. Add in the ground turkey, the cans of tomato sauce and paste, and the sauteed onions and garlic to the browned turkey. Allow mixture to simmer on medium low for about 20 minutes, occasionally stirring until all the flavors have had time to meld together. Enjoy on your favorite bun* or in a baked potato.

Garnish with your favorite toppings, here are some I suggest: chopped onion, fried onion strings, chopped pickle or sharp cheddar cheese.

*Pictured above are the Mini Slider Buns from Trader Joe’s.

Makes 10-12 sliders

notes: Depending on how picky your little eaters are, you can also make this recipe with bell peppers or red chili flakes. If you enjoy a hint of sweetness you may also want to try adding a few tablespoons of brown sugar or pure maple syrup.

… Happy messy eating.