Recipe: Vegan Sloppy Lentils

Sloppy joes have been a staple in American cooking for years. Here is the vegan answer to an old favorite. Lentils take the place of ground meat and tamari gives this sandwich a new zing. Kids and adults will love this messy and healthy meal. After a long day at work and school, you will love coming home to the wonderful smells of Sloppy Lentils cooking, and dinner will be on the table in a snap.

Vegan Sloppy Lentils Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 medium-size yellow onion, chopped
• 1 small red or green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 1/2 cups dried brown lentils, picked over and rinsed
• One 14.5-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 3 cups water
• 2 tablespoons tamari or other soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar or a natural sweetener
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 4 to 6 buns/rolls

Directions:

1. Heat a medium-sized non-stick skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and bell pepper, cover, and cook until softened, stirring often, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the chili powder, stirring to coat.
4. Transfer the onion mixture to a 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker.
5. Add the lentils, tomatoes, water, tamari, mustard, brown sugar, salt, and pepper to taste and stir to combine.
6. Cover and cook on Low for 8 hours.
7. When you get home, preheat broiler on oven.
8. Slice buns/rolls and place on broiler safe baking sheet, inside facing up.
9. Place buns/rolls in oven for 2-3 minutes or until they are toasted. Keep an eye on them as they can burn easily.
10. Serve sloppy lentils on the toated buns/rolls with your favorite condiments, sides and lots of napkins.

Serves: 4 to 6

[Recipe Courtesy of Fatfreevegan.com]