Spicy Lentil Sloppy Joes
Course: VegetarianDifficulty: EasyServings
4
servingsPrep time
35
minutesCooking time
5
minutesCalories per serving
380
kcalUse this recipe for a vegetarian take on Sloppy Joes!
Lentils have been eaten around the world for thousands of years, and though they have always been considered a healthy food, people in the West have always thought of them as bland. The truth is that as global cooking and healthy eating become more common, lentils are revealing that they have quite a lot to offer even the casual cook.
When considering lentils, the first thing to remember is that there are several varieties to choose from. For example, red lentils, which are often also called yellow lentils, tend to be a bit mushy when they are cooked. They are soft and flavorful, and they are a favorite for soups and stews. There are also brown and green lentils, which are more firm even after they have been cooked for quite some time. This means that they do well as independent sides. Finally, there are specialty lentils, which tend to come from specific regions, retain their shape or have unique flavors. A good lentil recipe specifies what varieties are required.
When cooking with lentils, remember that they do need to be cooked before they can be added to recipes. Not all recipes will add in the time necessary to cook these legumes. In general, it is enough to cover the lentils with water and boil them for around 40 minutes. Of all the different legumes that are commonly used, they are considered to be very easy to work with. However, it is also very quick and easy to simply open up a can of lentils, which will be pre-cooked and ready to add to a recipe as is the case the below.
Lentils have been eaten around the world for thousands of years, and though they have always been considered a healthy food, people in the West have always thought of them as bland. The truth is that as global cooking and healthy eating become more common, lentils are revealing that they have quite a lot to offer even the casual cook.
When considering lentils, the first thing to remember is that there are several varieties to choose from. For example, red lentils, which are often also called yellow lentils, tend to be a bit mushy when they are cooked. They are soft and flavorful, and they are a favorite for soups and stews. There are also brown and green lentils, which are more firm even after they have been cooked for quite some time. This means that they do well as independent sides. Finally, there are specialty lentils, which tend to come from specific regions, retain their shape or have unique flavors. A good lentil recipe specifies what varieties are required.
When cooking with lentils, remember that they do need to be cooked before they can be added to recipes. Not all recipes will add in the time necessary to cook these legumes. In general, it is enough to cover the lentils with water and boil them for around 40 minutes. Of all the different legumes that are commonly used, they are considered to be very easy to work with. However, it is also very quick and easy to simply open up a can of lentils, which will be pre-cooked and ready to add to a recipe as is the case the below.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ white onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ bell pepper, minced
½ cup tomato paste
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 can precooked red lentils
4 hamburger buns
Directions
- In a large skillet, heat up the olive oil until it is hot. Add the white onion and garlic, and sauté until soft and slightly golden. Do not allow the onions to burn.
- Add in the bell pepper, turning down the heat to medium low. This allows the peppers to soften without burning the aromatics.
- In a bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients, excluding the hamburger buns. Mix the items thoroughly, but be careful not to mash the lentils. The red lentils will be a bit on the soft side to begin with. Pour the mixed ingredients into the pan, turning the heat up to medium high. Sauté the ingredients until they are warm all the way through.
- Remove the lentil sloppy joes from the heat.
- Toast the hamburger buns in the oven, or simply place them, opened up, on a serving plate. Onion buns and pretzel buns are also excellent choices for this meal.
- Fill the buns with the lentil sloppy joe mixture, and serve. If you wish, you can also add a slice of cheese or cold, sliced tomato to the sandwich.
