Vegetarian Lentil Sloppy Joes

In week two of our month of “hot sandwiches” from our slow cooker I want to introduce the all American Sloppy Joe to our followers from outside the U.S.A. My first encounter with a Sloppy Joe was when I arrived in Chicago at the age of 36, until then I had no inkling that such a sandwich existed. Typically, a Sloppy Joe consists of seasoned ground meat, usually beef, stewed in a sauce and served on a bun.

We’ve sandwiched this vegetarian alternative between the Cuban Pork from last week and an Italian Beef sandwich next week. I would describe a Sloppy Joe as a Western version of an Indian dal served with chapatti or a Mexican black bean tortilla. It’s a hit with the kids, packed with protein, is economical and filling.

It’s an ideal slow cooker recipe for a busy weekday because preparation is quick and the liquid is happily absorbed by the lentils to leave a thick stew, ready to serve. Add your favorite crunchy coleslaw to complete dinner.

Reheat any leftover Sloppy Joe mixture and put into a warmed thermos for lunch with a handful of pita chips to scoop it up.

Ingredients

1 tbsp grapeseed or light olive oil
1 cup/ 1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup green lentils
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp cider vinegar
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 cups water

seeded buns

coleslaw optional:
2 cups shredded red cabbage
2 sticks celery, sliced thinly
1/2 pear
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup reduced fat mayonnaise
1/4 cup reduced fat sour cream
2 tbsp cider vinegar

In a skillet heat the oil and gently sauté the chopped onion until translucent. Transfer to your slow cooker insert.

Add the green lentils, tomato sauce, tomato paste, yellow mustard, garlic powder, cider vinegar, honey, Worcestershire sauce and water to your slow cooker. Stir the mixture well, cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 6 hours. To make the coleslaw recipe, mix all the ingredients together in a salad bowl.

Serve the lentils on a bun with the coleslaw.

Zen Moment

“Food is our common ground, a universal experience.”
– James A. Beard