Sloppy Joes from Billy Madison Recipe (with Video)

For Babish Sloppy Joe
1. Combine water, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl and whisk to combine.
2. Add baking soda mixture to the ground beef and mix gently with your hands.
3. In a large saucepan, cook minced bacon until browned and the fat has rendered out.
4. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon bits, leaving the rendered fat in the pan. Remove all but 2 tablespoons of bacon fat.
5. *If omitting, add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
6. Add the peppers and onion to the pan. Cook until very tender and lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
7. Push all of the vegetables to the sides of the pan. Add the beef to the center and cook until browned on all sides. Stir periodically to break up any large chunks of beef.
8. Once the beef is cooked, add the garlic cloves, chili powder, and tomato paste. Let cook for 1 minute or until the mixture is no longer soupy.
9. Add flour and stir to combine. Cook for 30 more seconds.
10. Add tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar, paprika, mustard powder, brown sugar, chicken bouillon, and the reserved bacon bits.
11. Taste for seasoning, then adds salt and pepper as needed.
12. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring periodically to avoid scorching.
13. Meanwhile, toast the sliced buns in a medium pan with 1 tablespoon of butter.
14. Fill each bun generously with the sloppy Joe filling. Lose your membership to the clean plate club.