Awesome Ellie Krieger

Not our typical post material, but I came across this at work this week, and wanted to share it with the tens of followers we have here at MSMDO.com.

Meet Ellie Krieger, New York Times bestselling author, James Beard Foundation award winner (which is a big deal for foodies), graduate of Cornell and Columbia, professor at NYU, contributing editor of Fine Cooking magazine, regular contributor to such well known publications as Shape, Women’s Day, Fitness, Self, Glamour, GQ, Prevention, and Men’s Journal, and host of the Food Network program Healthy Appetite with Ellie Kreiger. Overall big deal and health nut, right? Well...

Posted on the Food Network website is her recipe for Sloppy Joes. Now when I think of Sloppy Joes, I think back to elementary school cafeteria food and Manwich. Not exactly health food. Great if you're a budget-conscious school administrator or mom on-the-go. It's ground beef, some sauce, and maybe an onion or other vegetable. Slap it on a bun and you've got a happy kid. Surely registered dietitian Ellie Krieger has turned this working-class fall-back into a super-food for the fit and upwardly mobile 25-40 demographic. Let's delve into the directions:

"Finely chop the filling of a McDonald's Big Mac, including the burger and toppings; reserve the outer buns and discard the center bun."

WTF? And for the rest of the ingredients: some vegetables, red beans, ketchup, tomato paste, 2 ketchup packets, and 1/2 packet hot mustard sauce. So if I understand correctly, Cornell and Columbia graduate Ellie Kreiger wants me to drive to McDonalds, order 1 Big Mac, ask for ketchup and hot mustard, drive it home, go all Ginsu on it, stir it in with some vegetables and serve it to a family of four.

Thank you bestselling author Ellie Kreiger, but I'll pass. Full recipe here.