This simple recipe for slow-cooked sloppy joes is perfect for vegetarians as the traditional beef is replaced with heart-healthy lentils.
Ingredients:
2 cups lentils, rinsed and drained
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
2 medium carrots, shredded (1 cup)
¾ cup chopped onion
1 cup reduced-sodium hot-style vegetable juice or vegetable juice
¼ cup no-salt-added tomato paste
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles
1 tablespoon reduced-sodium worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups water
½ cup reduced-sodium ketchup
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar (see tip)
16 whole-wheat hamburger buns, split and toasted
1 shredded carrot
Directions:
In a 3 1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker stir together lentils, chopped sweet pepper, carrots, onion, vegetable juice, tomato paste, chiles, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, vinegar, garlic and water (see Tip).
Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4 to 5 hours.
Before serving, stir in ketchup and brown sugar. Serve lentil mixture on toasted buns. If desired, top each serving with shredded carrot.
