• Hula Joes

  Filed under Main Dishes - Pork
  Dec 17
  It seems like this time of year, everything is go-go-go. Especially this week before Christmas, with everyone rushing with their last minute purchases and get togethers. So not surprisingly, dinner often gets put on the back-burner, and I think we tend to hit the drive thru more often. But really, why settle for the drive thru when you can have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes??

  OK, so I totally realize that I sound like an advertisement for 30-Minute Meals right there. But at the same time, we all know that I am a fan. Actually, ever since I stopped working, I’ve been able to catch Rachael Ray’s daytime talk show, which is where I actually got this recipe.

  I do have to mention that my husband calls Rachael Ray “Rip-off Ray.” I just laugh at him, because really, the title does kind of suit her. Most of her recipes are not rocket science. She seems to take regular, every day recipes and put a spin on them, like this version of a sloppy joe. In fact, I know she has quite a few different sloppy joes versions – like the tango joes that I have made and posted about before. This recipe is on of those spins – taking a sloppy joe and giving it a Hawaiian spin.

  I usually have a hard time with ground pork because I don’t think it has much flavor, but these were actually quite flavorful. My husband loved them, and deemed them worthy to make again. Throw in some oven baked fries, and you have a quick, easy dinner that is something a little different!

  Hula Joes
  from Rachael Ray

  Makes 4 Servings

  1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  1/4 pound smoked ham or bacon, diced
  1 1/2 pounds ground pork
  1 sweet onion, such as Maui or Vidalia, finely chopped
  2 to 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  3 tablespoons brown sugar
  3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  1 cup tomato sauce
  1 cup pineapple, chopped*
  salt and ground black pepper
  4 Kaiser rolls
  1 cup shredded yellow cheddar cheese

  Place a large skillet over medium-high heat with one turn of the pan of olive oil, about 1 tablespoon. Cook bacon in the pan until crispy, about 3-4 minutes, and remove it to a small bowl.

  Return the pan with the bacon fat back over the heat, add the ground pork and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Add the onion and garlic to the pan and cook until soft, about 5-6 minutes.

  While the pork and onions are cooking, in a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire and tomato sauce. Pour into the skillet with the pork and onion, cook about a minute, then stir in pineapple. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  While the filling is cooking, split open the rolls and toast them under the broiler.

  To serve, place a bun bottom on a plate with a scoop of Hula Joe mixture and a sprinkling of cheese. Top with the bun cap.

  *The recipe calls for fresh pineapple, but I used canned and it worked.

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  26 Comments

26 Responses to “Hula Joes”

1. 

   Ingrid said on December 17th, 2008 at 5:05 pm

   Sounds like something my honey would say.

   I like RR well enough though I think she gets crazy with her oddball flavor combos. Too much is sometimes just too much.
   ~ingrid

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2. 

   kat said on December 17th, 2008 at 5:18 pm

   Interesting take on a sloppy joe

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3. 

   Debbie said on December 17th, 2008 at 6:24 pm

   Sounds different and delicious!!

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4. 

   Maria said on December 17th, 2008 at 8:40 pm

   I like your husband’s tile for RR! Too true! Your meal looks great though!!

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5. 

   Catherine Wilkinson said on December 17th, 2008 at 8:56 pm

   Thanks for a good recipe! You’re right about this time of year…some nights it’s a bowl of Cheerio’s and hot cocoa!

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6. 

   Rosa's Yummy Yums said on December 17th, 2008 at 9:21 pm

   Scrumptious! A mouthwatering sandwich!

   Cheers,

   Rosa

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7. 

   MeetaK said on December 17th, 2008 at 9:43 pm

   you are a naughty girl making me drool like this!

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8. 

   HoneyB said on December 18th, 2008 at 12:27 am

   I am sure I would like these but I think Grumpy would growl at me. he he.

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9. 

   Mary said on December 18th, 2008 at 1:41 am

   This sound good and if your husband likes them, why not!

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10. 

    javagirlkt's cookin' said on December 18th, 2008 at 3:50 am

    Hey, what’s wrong with taking recipes a putting a new spin on them? I love RR and I’m glad there is a blogger out there who does too!

    One of her new-takes on an old recipe that I have been waiting to try is her steakhouse shephard’s pie where the mashed potatoes have bacon and chives and blue cheese!! MMM!

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11. 

    KJ said on December 18th, 2008 at 3:52 am

    These look really interesting!!!

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12. 

    Bellini Valli said on December 18th, 2008 at 4:07 am

    RR has some delicious meals no matter what people think of her. She has built herself an empire on making meals we all make every day and makes millions. If only I had thought of it first:D

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13. 

    Paula said on December 18th, 2008 at 4:19 am

    I’ll have a “hula joe”! I think these sound fun, and the pineapple flavor would be most welcome to brighten and lighten things up. I enjoy RR, especially when she comes up with recipes like this!

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14. 

    Sara said on December 18th, 2008 at 4:26 am

    those sound fun. i love anything with pineapple!

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15. 

    Peabody said on December 18th, 2008 at 9:42 am

    I would totally try these…my husband on the other hand would find it against nature.

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16. 

    Darius T. Williams said on December 18th, 2008 at 1:14 pm

    Hula Joes – Hmph – you gotta love that Rachel Ray, right?!?!

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17. 

    Aimée said on December 18th, 2008 at 1:36 pm

    I think I’ve overloaded on cookies b/c as soon as I saw your post I exhaled in the most greedy way. I want this!! Time for salt in my diet…and fries!

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18. 

    Marisa said on December 18th, 2008 at 4:55 pm

    I love fast and easy. I laughed at your husband’s take on Rachael Ray. So funny! These sounds great!

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19. 

    Emily said on December 18th, 2008 at 9:58 pm

    Love it! I think these would be delicious.

    I like watching Rachael’s 30 Minute Meals, but I’m not a fan of her travel shows.
    Is her daytime good? It must be pretty good.

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20. 

    kimberleyblue said on December 18th, 2008 at 11:59 pm

    I feel the same way about RR – she’s just more of a cook than a chef.

    No matter though – this dish still sounds really good!

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21. 

    Mary said on December 19th, 2008 at 1:24 am

    How funny! I saw the show when she made these and I was curious if they tasted good! Maybe I’ll give them a try!

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22. 

    Grace said on December 19th, 2008 at 12:51 pm

    rip-off ray, eh? yeah, i chuckled at that. but these sandwiches are undeniably yummy.

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23. 

    Half Baked said on December 19th, 2008 at 9:03 pm

    Ha ha Rip off Ray..too funny..I like how your husband thinks:) These joes look awesome however!!

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24. 

    Dawn said on December 20th, 2008 at 3:27 pm

    I think I would like my sloppy joe this way much better. I love a good hawaiian pizza too.
    This is really tempting, even at 10am! lol

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25. 

    kamailesfood said on December 22nd, 2008 at 6:34 pm

    Sounds pretty tasty! I’ll have to give them a try.

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26. 

    Sophie said on December 27th, 2008 at 2:04 am

    Lol I can see where he’d get that title, but I honestly don’t think I could come up with something this tasty! I’m all for quick healthy meals that put fast food to shame, looks tasty with those fries!

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