It’s summertime ain’t it. And this probably the most any of us have had to spend indoors.

Just show me da recipe brah

But that don’t mean we still can’t eat good.

This recipe is just in time for the summer months. We can still have “CDC Guideline approved” get-togethers with our family and friends.

Most people like sloppy joes from what I remember and they’re pretty easy to make. Now I won’t guarantee that someone won’t be able to tell whether this is meat or not.

They will more than likely be impressed that this isn’t made of meat, yet still has a myriad of flavor packed into it.

A little secret I suggest is to cook the lentils in vegetable broth and season the broth prior to adding the lentils to it. This will ensure that the lentils are already preseasoned (idk if that’s a word) before you transfer them to the sloppy joe sauce.

Now, I wanted to make a side so I made fries, which is from a prior recipe found here. But that’s all up to you what you want to serve.

Bring this out to the next gathering and I’m pretty sure your popularity will increase instantly.

Recipe

Ingredients

• LENTILS
• 2 cups water (can cook in vegetable broth for more flavor)
• 1 cup green lentils
• SLOPPY JOES
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil
• 1/2 medium vidalia onion or white onion, minced (plus more for serving)
• 1/2 bell pepper (I used yellow), diced
• Sea salt and black pepper*
• 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar*
• 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
• 2 teaspoons chili powder*
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin*
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika*
• FOR SERVING optional
• Gluten-free or whole-wheat hamburger buns

Instructions

1. Add liquid to pot and bring to a boil. Then add lentils and heat over medium-high heat.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook uncovered for about 20 minutes until tender. The water should have a constant simmer. Drain off any excess liquid and set aside.
3. In the meantime, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add oil, onion, and bell pepper. Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine.
4. Sautè until onions and peppers are tender and slightly browned.
5. Next add tomato sauce, sugar, BBQ sauce, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Stir to combine.
6. Once the lentils are cooked, add them to the skillet as well, and stir to combine.
7. Continue cooking the mixture over medium-low heat until completely warmed through and thick, stirring occasionally – about 5-10 minutes.
8. Taste and adjust flavor to your preference.
9. Serve the mixture on toasted buns with sliced onion.
10. If you want the recipe for the fries you can find them here.
11. Eat that Shxt!

This recipe was adapted from here.

*signifies to taste