Originally taken and adapted from this recipe.
Sometimes I miss the Sloppy Joes of my childhood. This is an updated, MUCH healthier version with no cholesterol or saturated fat. You can make it oil free quite easily, that's the recipe I'll add here.
1 cup uncooked split red lentils 4 cups water 1 tablespoon balsamic vinaigrette, more if it evaporates while "sauteing" 1 medium yellow or red onion, diced small 2 red peppers, diced small 5 cloves garlic, minced 1 Teaspoon chili powder, add more if you like it really spicy, but do it one at a time 2 teaspoons oregano 1 teaspoon salt 8 oz can tomato sauce 1/4 cup tomato paste 3 tablespoons maple syrup 1 tablespoon yellow mustard 4 to 6 kaiser rolls or sesame buns (optional – for serving)
Toppings: green leafy things, avocado, whatever you like!
Put the lentils in a small sauce pot and pour in 4 cups water. Cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, until lentils are soft but still have a little bite to them, al dente if you will. Drain and set aside.
In the same pan, preheat to medium. Saute the onion and garlic in the balsamic vinaigrette for about 7 minutes, until softened. Add more vinaigrette if it evaporates so you don't burn the onions and garlic.
Add the cooked lentils, the chili powder, oregano and salt and mix. Add the tomato sauce and tomato paste. Cook for about 10 minutes.
Add the chopped red bell pepper, maple syrup and mustard and heat through for about 5 minutes. Turn the heat off and let sit for about 10 minutes, so that the flavors can meld, or go ahead and eat immediately if you can’t wait.
If you want to toast the buns, go for it! Put on as many toppings as you think the sandwich can hold. Mixed greens and avocado work great!
NOTES: I also sliced up two long red chilies, sort of like Serrano peppers, not super spicy ones and threw those in with the red bell peppers, gives it extra spice and crunch. Instead of split red lentils, you can also use green lentils or whatever, but red split lentils are super cheap and easy. You don't have to soak them and they cook really fast.
This makes enough for about 12 sandwiches.
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