Sloppy Sams

These are supposed to be a vegetarian sloppy joe. I think they taste different and better. Mark laughed out loud and gave me a funny look when I told him what we were having for dinner the first time I made these, but he loves them, as do Russ and I.



Recipe and picture courtesy of allrecipes.com

Servings: 4
Prep: 45 min.

Ingredients:
3 cups water
1 cup lentils, rinsed
1 cup chopped onions
1 tbs. olive oil
2 cups chopped tomato
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 (6 ounce) tomato paste
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tsp. mustard powder (I don't have any so just threw some mustard in)
1 tbs. chili powder
3 tbs. molasses (I just used brown sugar)
1 dash Worchestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste
4 hamburger buns split (or rolls or bread or crackers)

Directions:

1. Combine water and lentils in a saucepan; season to taste with salt if desired. Bring to a boil over high heat, than reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until tender, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Meanwhile cook onions with olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until the onions have softened and turned translucent, about 4 minutes. Add tomatoes and garlic, and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, ketchup, mustard powder, chili powder, molasses and Worchestersire sauce; Simmer 5-10 minutes until thickened.
3. Drain lentils and reserve cooking liquid. Stir lentils into sauce mixture, adding cooking liquid or water as needed to obtain the desired "sloppy joe" consistency. Serve on buns.