She Strengthens

The Flavorful Heart of Rochester’s Iconic Garbage Plate

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting Rochester, New York, you’re likely familiar with the legendary Nick Tahou’s garbage plate. This beloved dish consists of two hot dogs, hamburgers, or cheeseburgers piled high on a bed of crispy fried potatoes, accompanied by either baked beans or macaroni salad, and topped with a generous helping of a signature meat sauce.

A Sauce Fit for a King (or a Garbage Plate)

This mouthwatering meat sauce is the star of the show, and for good reason. It’s a flavor explosion that elevates the humble garbage plate to new heights. And the best part? It’s incredibly versatile, pairing perfectly with hot dogs, hamburgers, or even a Western omelette (as I once discovered, courtesy of Nick Tahou himself).

A Recipe Worth Sharing

So, what makes this sauce so special? The secret lies in its rich, complex flavor profile, achieved through a harmonious blend of ingredients. With a yield of enough sauce for 20 hot dogs, hamburgers, or 6 garbage plates, this recipe is perfect for feeding a crowd.

Easy Does It

Don’t be intimidated by the ingredient list – this sauce is surprisingly easy to prepare. With a total cooking time of just 1 hour and 30 minutes, and only 20 minutes of active cooking time, you can whip up a batch in no time.

The Magic Ingredients

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• Salt to taste
• 1 clove garlic, diced or pressed through a garlic press

Simmering to Perfection

To create this culinary masterpiece, simply fry the onion and garlic in oil until soft, then add the meat and spices, stirring constantly to break up the beef. Once the meat browns, add the water, tomato paste, and brown sugar, and simmer for 10 minutes. Use an immersion blender to achieve a finer texture, similar to triple ground beef. Finally, simmer for an additional hour, adding water as needed to maintain a rich, saucy consistency.

A Recipe Born from Tradition

While traditional recipes call for triple ground beef, we’ve simplified the process without sacrificing flavor. The result is a sauce that’s both authentic and accessible – perfect for anyone looking to bring a taste of Rochester to their own kitchen.