Loose Meat

It's like a hamburger, but it has no patty.  It's like a Sloppy Joe, but it's not seasoned the same.  It's a whatchamacallit:  a loose-meat sandwich served on a hamburger bun.  Here in Omaha, B.G. Tasty Foods has sold them for over 60 years.  In Iowa they call them Maid Rite sandwiches.

Here's a version you can make at home.




5 pounds finely ground beef
1/2 cup ketchup
3 heaping teaspoons creamy horseradish
3 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
5 teaspoons salt
1 tsp. monosodium glutamate (Accent is one brand name)
1 tsp. ground pepper
1 cup finely chopped or ground onion
1 cup water

Place meat in large saucepan and add all remaining ingredients.  Cook over very low heat (around 20 minutes), stirring constantly.  Meat will be in very fine pieces.  Let simmer about 1-1/2 hours adding water to mixture if it becomes too dry.  Serve on hamburger buns with pickles, mustard and/or ketchup.  YUM!