Kitchen Confidence Cookbook Review and Sloppy Janes

I have been a fan of Kelsey Nixon ever since I watched her on The Next Food Network Star.  She didn't win, but was still given her own cooking show on The Cooking Channel.  I watch every episode of her and her pretty red fingernails (anyone else noticed that?).

It was about time she came out with her own cookbook :)

So, what do I think of the cookbook?

I really like it.  My favorite section is surprisingly the "Sides" category and I want to try almost every recipe in that section.

There are quite a few recipes in this book that I grew up eating, except she has added her own "twist" to them.  Like taking chili that everyone loves, but introducing us to a new ingredient, like hominy.   Or like using sweet potatoes to make scalloped potatoes.  Or even adding a thinly sliced Granny Smith apple to a grilled bacon and Cheddar cheese sandwich.  Some of the recipes might seem a little "fancy", but not so much that you wouldn't ever try them.  I am convinced to step out of my comfort zone and try these new variations.  Not every recipe has a picture, but the ones that do are absolutely gorgeous.

As soon as the weather cools down, her Roasted Tomato Soup is at the TOP of my list of things to make.  Some others I can't wait to try are Chicken and Poblano Stew, Carnitas Tacos, Essential Stove-Top Mac and Cheese, Meatball Parmesan Heroes, Roasted Root Vegetables, Blueberry Muffins and her Chocolate Chip Cookies.

I did make her Sloppy Janes and they taste nothing like my go-to Sloppy Joe recipe, but they sure were delicious.  I remember watching the episode of The Next Food Network Star when Kelsey made these and served them to Martha Stewart and I have always wanted to try them.  Not sure why it took me so long?  Don't be afraid of the ground turkey.  I use it all of the time instead of ground beef and when mixed with all of the other ingredients, I bet no one would even notice the difference.

A few of Kelsey's other recipes that I have tried are her Rapid Rise Rolls and her Orange Rolls.

To find out more about Kelsey or to purchase Kitchen Confidence, click HERE.

Sloppy Janes

adapted from: Kelsey Nixon
(Printable Recipe) or (Printable with Picture)

1 Tbl. olive oil
1 1/2 Lbs. ground turkey
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp. onion powder
1 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
salt and pepper
1 green bell pepper, ribbed, seeded and chopped
1/2 c. finely chopped onion
1/2 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
2 Tbl. packed light brown sugar
1/2 c. ketchup
1 Tbl. Dijon mustard
splash of apple cider vinegar
1 Tbl. Worcestershire sauce
5-6 hamburger buns, toasted
Miracle Whip or Mayonnaise

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add the ground turkey, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.  Cook, breaking up with the back of a wooden spoon until the meat is no longer pink, about 5 minutes.  Add the bell pepper and onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.  Add the crushed tomatoes, brown sugar, ketchup, Dijon mustard, vinegar and Worcestershire sauce.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens, about 10-15 minutes.  Serve on toasted hamburger buns with Miracle Whip or Mayonnaise.  Makes 5-6 sandwiches.  

Jenn's Notes: My turkey came in a 1.25 Lb. package and that is what I used.  Kelsey serves these as sliders, but we opted for regular-sized sandwiches.   

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review, but all opinions expressed herein are my own.