Vegetarian Sloppy Joe’s

It is Memorial Day weekend, I am in city, sorting out my “Digital Life”.  The room mates have decided to “be elsewhere”, leaving me with the freedom to explore new culinary avenues.

Usually I either grill or smoke for the weekend, but have not the time or the environment for this..   But all is not lost, the all time American standby by dinner, the “Sloppy Joe”, will come to my rescue.  And I’ll even toss the vegetarian twist into this.

From Wikipedia

A sloppy joe is a sandwich consisting of ground beef or pork, onions, tomato sauce or ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and other seasonings, served on a hamburger bun.The dish originated in the United States during the early 20th century.

Ground turkey or textured vegetable protein may be used as a substitute for ground beef.

A sloppy joe differs from a traditional loose meat or tavern sandwich due largely to its tomato-based sauce.

I have a number of options as a vegetable protein, to replace the meat component.  Various beans, tofu / soy products, or various mushrooms.  Perhaps, button mushrooms in a large dice, partially crushed black beans as well, then the usual onions, green peppers, garlic, spices and the ever present tomato sauce and top it off with a good melting cheese.

Traditionally, a grated parmesan cheese is used, but I just like a nice melted cheese.

As a follow on, I can use the left over joe mix with soy dogs and the rest of the cheese to make Chili Cheese dogs for another meal.

Vegetarian Sloppy Joe's

A quick, easy meal for the on the go crowd.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 3 People

Calories 218 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1/2 ea Large Bell Pepper Red, washed, cored, seeded, diced
• 1/2 ea Large Bell Pepper Green, washed, cored, seeded, diced
• 1/2 ea Large Sweet Onion Peeled, diced
• 4 cloves garlic Peeled, minced
• 1/2 cup Button Mushrooms Washed, Diced
• 1 tbsp Oil Canola / Neutral Flavor
• 1 dash cayenne pepper to taste
• 2 tsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp Paprika I like smoked
• 2 tbsp Soy Sauce Low Salt
• 1 can Black Beans 16oz / ~450g
• 1 1/2 cup Tomato Sauce ~ 340 grams
• 1 ea Jalapeno Pepper Optional and To Taste
• 1 dash Liquid Smoke Optional
• 1 tbsp Brown Sugar Light, optional and to taste
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Heat the oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat
• Add mushrooms and saute until caramelized; thence remove
• Add onion / bell peppers and saute until softened
• Add tomato paste and saute until carmelized
• Add garlic and saute until fragrant
• Reduce heat to medium low Add mushrooms, beans, spices, tomato sauce, soy sauce, liquid smoke, stir to combine and heat through
• Taste and adjust balance

Notes

Serve over toasted buns, and top with cheese.

I side this with tortilla chips

This is a great base recipe, one can omit the chili's and add oregano, basil and more tomato sauce for a basic pasta sauce.

That sauce and be lengthened with veggie stock to form a tomato soup.

Or adding additional chili powder and cumin can form a decent vegetarian chili.

Nutrition

Calories: 218kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 11gFat: 5gSodium: 1348mgPotassium: 851mgFiber: 9gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 970IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 46mgIron: 3.7mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!