Bring Back the Sloppy Joe! – The Plantable Way

There is something about sloppy Joe’s that make my mouth water. I think it’s the sauce…. yeah, for sure the sauce!

That ketchuppy (made up word) goodness and making a big old mess when you eat it. It’s like taking the hamburger helper of the 80’s growing up and slapping it between 2 buns. Mindfully reminiscing and savoring that sweet and tangy sauce, always has me coming back from more.

I came up with this idea one night as I was incorporating more meatless dishes for my family and I thought what would be a fun and tasty meal that we can all enjoy. I used to love these growing up. I thought what would happen if I use lentils instead of chop meat?

When I first told my kids we were eating “sloppy Joe’s” for dinner they looked at me like I had ten heads! What the heck is that? Since they never had a Sloppy Joe before, it was an easy and fun way to incorporate lentils.

And guess what? They loved it!

Serve it alongside a creamy coleslaw with some pickles and call it a day!

There are just a few simple ingredients this recipe needs.

Ingredients:

• 1 package of steamed precooked lentils.
• 1/2 onion diced
• 2 carrots peeled and diced or frozen and diced.
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp garlic
• 1 tbsp of brown sugar
• 2 tsp of mustard – yellow or dijon whatever is on hand.
• 1 cup of ketchup
• Pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Add 2 turns of olive oil to the pan, add the chopped onion to a hot pan, season with salt and sauté the onion until translucent.

2. Add the lentils, spices, ketchup, mustard and brown sugar, stir until combined, cover with a lid simmer on low heat until heated through.

3. Place the cooked lentils on a bun with cheese and pickles if you desire. I served it along side a fresh salad and sweet potato fries. YUM!