LENTIL SLOPPY JOES

This lovely lentil recipe came about because I’m always working on plant based versions of home cooked favorites. Traditionally, sloppy joes include Worcestershire sauce, which contains fish, so I’ve subbed in soy sauce. You ultimately want a sloppy joe sauce that is more thick than runny, with a tomato flavor that balances fattiness, acidity, saltiness, tangy flavor, and sweetness. I’m happy to say this got the seal of approval from my meatlovin’ man AND my vegetarian bestie! It also makes a nice side dish that’s a bit healthier than many canned baked beans options.

Remember, canned lentils are the devil’s work.

Makes roughly 6 servings

• 1 cup (~200 g) dry brown lentils (red lentils get mushy quickly, but are great in soup and curry)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• a large clove of garlic
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 large plum/beefsteak tomato (~3″ diameter/~180 g)
• 2 large celery sticks (~8-11″ length)
• 1 large yellow bell pepper
• 1 cup (~236 ml) liquid [75/25 ginger tea or water/apple cider vinegar]
• Sea salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• ½ tropical avocado (the large green ones) or 1 hass avocado (small, black kind). Must be ripe but on the firmer side

[Optional]: Combine ½ yellow onion with 1 medium celery stick instead of 2 large celery sticks

      [For the sauce] 

• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp of mustard (dijon and yellow are best here)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste*
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce**
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 2 tbsp maple syrup, agave or brown sugar***

*If you don’t have tomato paste & ketchup on hand, you can use 2 very large tomatoes with an extra tsp of syrup/sweetener and it’ll be fine. Likewise, if you don’t have fresh tomatoes, use 4 tbsp tomato paste.

**For a soy free option, Bragg’s liquid coconut amino condiment works well for cooking.

***or granulated sweetener alternative.

Best paired with: a toasted bun, particularly brioche, potato or pretzel, some oven roasted sweet potato or russet fries, coleslaw, side salad. They are also good in wraps with melted cheese as a quick snack or lunch.

We sipped on some lemonade, amber ales, and brown ales. I imagine a crisp white beer or peppery red wine like Malbec or Rioja would taste nice, too.

NUTRITION FACTS

Number of Servings: 6
Fiber: 28.3 g
Carbs: 9.5 g

Calories per Serving: 193 kcal
Sugar: 9.13 g
Protein: 8.38 g

Weight per Serving: 190 g
Fats: 6.32 g
Iron: 3.32 mg

All servings and nutritional measurements are approximate. These estimates are intended for information and guidance purposes only. Please consult a licensed nutrition or medical professional if you need assistance. 

Gluten-Free and Vegan Disclaimer: All of the ingredients listed in this recipe are available in gluten-free and vegan versions. Please do your research and verify ingredient lists, as many products can have surprisingly hidden amounts of gluten that can impact those with Celiac Disease and gluten allergies. Likewise, vegans may need to verify if products contain hidden amounts of whey or animal derived ingredients.