Sloppy Sams

I found these babies on Skinny Bovine's website, who specializes in food both cheap and healthy. Is such a thing possible? Anyone perusing the produce section might think not, but buying lentils instead of meat saves moolah! They are practically free. 


Anyway, I was a little doubtful trying this dish, but the flavor is actually really yummy (beware...it has SUGAR!) and is very filling. Be sure to cook the lentils well--the softer, the better non-lentil lovers will tolerate them.

Photo from Allrecipes.com

Sloppy Sams

4 big servings

Source: Skinny Bovine's Kitchen

modified from allrecipes.com, specifically here

3-4 cups chicken broth (or water)

1 cup lentils, rinsed

1 cup chopped onion (chop this very finely! I didn't and the onion was a little overwhelming!)

a dash of olive oil

1 15 oz can petite diced tomatoes

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 (6 oz) can tomato paste

1/2 cup ketchup

1 teaspoon ground mustard

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 1/2 tablespoons molasses (use all brown sugar if you don't have it)

1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 dash worchestershire sauce

salt and pepper to taste

4 hamburger buns

1. Combine broth (or water, for lower-sodium) and lentils in a saucepan. bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until tender, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Meanwhile, cook onions with the 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 Worcestershire sauce; simmer 5 to10 minutes until thickened.
3. Drain lentils and reserve cooking liquid (I never have any liquid to drain). Stir lentils into sauce mixture, adding cooking liquid or water as needed to obtain the desired "sloppy joe" consistency. Serve on buns.