Change up Sloppy Joes by using ground buffalo

Sloppy Joes are a great family pleaser, made from ground meat, onions, green bell pepper, tomato sauce, capers and raisins. The success of the dish is the blending of sweet and savory flavors.

Ground buffalo is used in this recipe. It is also sold as ground bison and can be found in most supermarkets.

Helpful Hints:

• Grass-fed ground beef can be used instead of ground buffalo.

• Fresh diced onion and green pepper can be used instead of frozen. Cook them a minute longer.

• Minced garlic can be found in the produce section of the market.

Buffalo Sloppy Joes

Yield 2 servings. Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer

1 teaspoon canola oil

1 cup frozen, chopped onion

2 cups frozen, chopped green bell pepper

1 teaspoon minced garlic

2 cups reduced-sodium, no-sugar-added pasta sauce

2 tablespoons reduced-sodium Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar

¾ pound ground buffalo meat

3 green pitted olives, cut in half

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 whole wheat rolls (about 1½-ounces each)

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add the onion, green pepper, garlic and pasta sauce. Cook until the sauce starts to bubble, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the Worcestershire sauce, vinegar and buffalo meat. Reduce heat to medium and cook gently, breaking up buffalo with the edge of a spoon, until the meat is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Stir in olives. Add salt and pepper to taste. Divide bread between two dinner plates and spoon meat mixture on top.

Per serving: 510 calories, 110 calories from fat, 12 g fat, 2.3 g saturated fat, 4.4 g monounsaturated fat, 115 mg cholesterol, 45 g protein, 55 g carbohydrates, 11 g dietary fiber, 25 g sugars, 550 mg sodium, 1885 mg potassium, 560 mg phosphorus

Exchanges: 3 starch, 2 vegetable, 5 lean protein