Lentil Sloppy Joes
02/24/10
Or "Snobby Joes" as the recipe is called. These lentil powered sloppy joes have fast become a family favorite. The recipe comes from this great vegan cookbook written by Isa Chandra Moskowitz. The book is called Veganomicon, and it does a great job of being irreverant and translating comfort food favorites into vegan friendly dishes. I have discovered many creative substitutions by using this book. The first night that I make these sloppy joes they are almost always eaten in the traditional manner. You know with buns and all....
After the initial serving, however, the leftovers are fair game. My husband loves to eat the lentils with chips like a dip. (Actually, that is also a favorite of mine.) I use it as a topping for baked potatoes. In fact, last night I made some mashed sweet potato and just plopped some of these lentils right on top. Can you say yum? Well, you would if you tried them.
Now, although I am not vegan, I do eat primarily a vegetarian diet. I use a lot of vegan cookbooks because they help me with dairy free recipes and ideas. (My internal systems all work better without dairy.) There are two main reasons I am not a vegan today. I love honey and salmon. Simple.
I also happen to love lentils. Always have. I use them in so many ways because they take on the flavors of what you are cooking. They are inexpensive, versatile, and really good for you.
Lentils are an ancient food source dating back to Neolithic times. They are third in line behind soybeans and hemp for the amount of protein offered (26%.) Lentils are missing the two amino acids, methionine and cystine, but when sprouted they are a complete protein. Also, when lentils are combined with rice or another whole grain they compliment each other, providing a complete protein source.
Lentils are one of the best sources of iron in the plant kingdom, making them essential to a vegetarian diet. They also are an excellent soure of folate and dietary fiber. Dietary fiber, we have learned, is important in maintaining stable blood sugar levels as well as supporting healthy elimination.
So back to the Snobby Joes, I guess you may want to be clued into Isa's recipe....
Ingredients List:
1 cup uncooked lentils
4 cups water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium sized onion, diced small
1 green pepper, diced small
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons chile powder
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1/2 cup tomato paste
2-3 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
4-6 kaiser rolls
Pour the lentils and water into a saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil. Once the mixture is boiling, lower the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes. Once lentils are soft, drain and set aside.
About 10 minutes before lentils are done, preheat a medium sized saucepan over medium heat. Saute the onion and pepper in the oil for about 7 minutes, unitl softened. Add the garlic and saute a minute more.
Stir in the cooked lentils, chile powder, oregano, and salt. Add the tomato sauce and tomato paste. Cook for about 10 minutes. Add the maple syrup and the mustard, and heat through.
Turn off the heat and let the pot sit for about 10 minutes, so that the flavors can meld. Serve on whole grain buns or bread. Mix up a batch of sweet potato fries to go along and enjoy!
Living a life of personal balance, moderation, education, and connection.
After the initial serving, however, the leftovers are fair game. My husband loves to eat the lentils with chips like a dip. (Actually, that is also a favorite of mine.) I use it as a topping for baked potatoes. In fact, last night I made some mashed sweet potato and just plopped some of these lentils right on top. Can you say yum? Well, you would if you tried them.
Now, although I am not vegan, I do eat primarily a vegetarian diet. I use a lot of vegan cookbooks because they help me with dairy free recipes and ideas. (My internal systems all work better without dairy.) There are two main reasons I am not a vegan today. I love honey and salmon. Simple.
I also happen to love lentils. Always have. I use them in so many ways because they take on the flavors of what you are cooking. They are inexpensive, versatile, and really good for you.
Lentils are an ancient food source dating back to Neolithic times. They are third in line behind soybeans and hemp for the amount of protein offered (26%.) Lentils are missing the two amino acids, methionine and cystine, but when sprouted they are a complete protein. Also, when lentils are combined with rice or another whole grain they compliment each other, providing a complete protein source.
Lentils are one of the best sources of iron in the plant kingdom, making them essential to a vegetarian diet. They also are an excellent soure of folate and dietary fiber. Dietary fiber, we have learned, is important in maintaining stable blood sugar levels as well as supporting healthy elimination.
So back to the Snobby Joes, I guess you may want to be clued into Isa's recipe....
Ingredients List:
1 cup uncooked lentils
4 cups water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium sized onion, diced small
1 green pepper, diced small
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons chile powder
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1/2 cup tomato paste
2-3 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
4-6 kaiser rolls
Pour the lentils and water into a saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil. Once the mixture is boiling, lower the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes. Once lentils are soft, drain and set aside.
About 10 minutes before lentils are done, preheat a medium sized saucepan over medium heat. Saute the onion and pepper in the oil for about 7 minutes, unitl softened. Add the garlic and saute a minute more.
Stir in the cooked lentils, chile powder, oregano, and salt. Add the tomato sauce and tomato paste. Cook for about 10 minutes. Add the maple syrup and the mustard, and heat through.
Turn off the heat and let the pot sit for about 10 minutes, so that the flavors can meld. Serve on whole grain buns or bread. Mix up a batch of sweet potato fries to go along and enjoy!
Living a life of personal balance, moderation, education, and connection.
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