Lentil Sloppy Joes

This hearty plant-based recipe is a great quick meal to fuel you before running off to any evening activities! Flavoured with tangy tomato sauce and smoked paprika with crisp peppers on a fluffy bun, this dinner will be a popular with the whole family! Swapping out the ground beef in traditional sloppy Joes for lentils makes these an ideal mix of protein and carbohydrates to keep you energized.

Picture from: https://www.noracooks.com/vegan-sloppy-joes/

Yield: 4-5 Servings

  •  Ingredients:

  • 1 1/3 cup canned lentils (remaining from chocolate chip cookies recipe), rinsed and drained.

  • 1 yellow onion, diced

  • 1 red bell pepper, diced

  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped*

  • 2 carrots, grated

  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika

  • 2 tsp chilli powder

  • 2 tsp mustard powder

  • 2 tbsp brown sugar

  • 1 tsp salt (to taste)*

  • 1/2 tsp pepper*

  • 1 1/4 cups of tomato sauce

  • 3/4 cup shredded cheese

  • 2 tsp oil (or enough to coat pan)

  • 5 burger buns  

    *ingredients not provided in meal kit

Equipment:

  • Cutting board & Knife

  • Mixing spoon

  • Large frying pan

  • Can opener

  • Strainer

  • Measuring cups and spoons

Directions:

  1. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the diced onion, red bell pepper, carrots and garlic and sauté for 3-4 minutes.

  2. Add in the mixture from the spice bag (paprika, chilli powder, mustard powder) along with salt and pepper. Stir until coated cook for about 1 minute

  3. Pour in the tomato sauce and brown sugar, mix. Add in the lentils and continue to cook for 5 minutes, the mixture should be lightly bubbling. If it starts to get dry, add a couple tablespoons of water and reduce temperature to medium-low.

  4. While the lentil mixture cooks, set out your buns and top them with about 2 tbsp of shredded cheese each.

  5. With a clean spoon, taste your lentil mixture. If it is hot and seasoned to your liking they are ready to serve.

  6. Top each bun with ~1/3 cup of sloppy joe mixture. Serve with a side of coleslaw or for added crunch add a spoonful into you sandwich.