Sloppy Bombay Joes
This recipe crafts a unique 'Bombay Joe' twist on the classic sloppy joe. It features ground turkey infused with aromatic Indian spices, complemented by bell peppers, onions, and a rich tomato sauce. Finished with toasted pistachios, raisins, a touch of honey, and fresh cilantro, it offers a delightful balance of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors. Served on toasted hamburger buns, it’s a hearty and exotic sandwich experience.
Equipment
- 1 Medium Saucepan For preparing the sauce.
- 1 Large Skillet For cooking the turkey and combining the mixture.
- 1 Chef's knife For mincing ginger, garlic, chile, dicing onion and bell pepper.
- 1 Cutting Board For safe and efficient chopping.
- 1 Spatula or wooden spoon For stirring, sautéing, and breaking up ground turkey.
Ingredients
Main
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 serrano chile seeded and finely minced (save the other half for the turkey)
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 cup water
- 3 to 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Small handful shelled pistachios about 1/4 cup
- Small handful raisins about 1/4 cup
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1/2 large white onion finely diced
- 1 red bell pepper seeds and membrane removed, finely diced
- 1/2 serrano chile seeds intact (don't chop it up unless you like things spicy!)
- Kosher salt
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 1/4 cup half-and-half
- Small handful chopped fresh cilantro soft stems included
- 4 to 6 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Begin by making the sauce: Warm the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, until it shimmers. Add the ginger, garlic and serrano pepper. Saute until the ginger and garlic brown a little. Add the garam masala and paprika and saute for 30 seconds. Stir in the tomato sauce and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until thickened, about 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile for the turkey, in large skillet, warm 2 tablespoons of oil. When shimmering, add the pistachios and raisins. Cook until the raisins swell up and the pistachios toast slightly. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Return the pan to medium heat, add 1 to 2 more tablespoons of oil, and warm until shimmering. Add the cumin seeds and allow them to sizzle for about 10 seconds, or until some of the sizzling subsides. Stir in the onions and bell pepper; saute until softened and starting to brown. Add the serrano pepper. Saute for another couple of minutes, seasoning with a little salt. Stir in the turkey, breaking up the big lumps. Cook until opaque, about 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, your sauce should be ready. Pour the sauce into the skillet with the turkey. Stir and bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer until the mixture has thickened slightly, about 10 minutes.
- Once the turkey is cooked and the sauce has thickened a little, remove the serrano pepper (unless you want to eat it whole, like my Dad does!). Add the honey, half-and-half, pistachios and raisins. Stir through and taste for seasoning. Before serving, garnish with fresh cilantro.
- Toast the buns, fill with the turkey mixture and serve. Eat (with your hands!) and enjoy!
Notes
Properly blooming the whole cumin seeds and ground spices (garam masala, paprika) in hot oil is crucial to unlock their full aromatic potential and integrate them deeply into the dish's flavor profile. When browning ground turkey, ensure a hot skillet and avoid overcrowding to achieve a nice sear, which adds depth. Break up lumps early for even cooking. The serrano chile adds a critical heat element; for more control, you can char the whole chile slightly before adding to infuse smoky heat without excessive spice, or adjust by removing seeds for a milder effect. Don't skip the final seasoning adjustment after adding honey and half-and-half; these balance the acidity of the tomato and richness of the turkey, creating a harmonious 'sloppy joe' flavor profile. For the best Sloppy Bombay Joes, toast the hamburger buns until golden and slightly crisp, providing a sturdy base that can hold up to the generous, saucy filling.