It’s BBQ time! The summer is a time for cookouts and friends getting together to share a nice meal. If your diet is a plant based diet it can be even more challenging! It is hard to find something to eat in the middle of all the hamburgers, hot dogs, and meat cuts. Sometimes the good old veggie burger is just not as appealing.
I created this recipe one evening when my youngest was begging for a hamburger! It was one of those days that I just didn’t have time or all the ingredients to make a veggie burger, so I decided to make my veggie meatball patties into a “hamburger”. In the middle of cooking the lentils I decided to transform the “patty” into Sloppy Joes. The new recipe was a great success and it has now become a staple in our house.
I chose lentils in this recipe because not only do they look like ground beef, but they have a hearty flavor. Lentils are also very high in protein and are a great addition to any plant based diet. About 30% of the calories from lentils are attributed to its protein content. Lentils are also rich in soluble fibers that are beneficial in lowering cholesterol and heart health.
If you are looking for a healthier version of this childhood favorite, I believe you found it. This recipe is not only delicious and very close in taste to its original counterpart, it is easy and quick to make! It was my go to recipe today after a day at the pool.
Ingredients:
1 cup of green lentils (1 copo de lentilha)
3-4 cups of water to cook the lentils (3-4 copos de agua para cozir a lentilha)
1 cup of marinara sauce (1 copo de molho de tomate)
1 Tbs of tomato paste (1 colher de sopa de pasta de tomate)
1 Tbs of apple vinegar (1 colher de sopa de vinagre de cidra)
1 Tbs of liquid aminos or low sodium soy sauce (1 colher de sopa de molho de soja)
1 Tbs of molasses (1 colher de sopa de melaco)
1 tsp of cumin ( 1 colher de cha de cominho)
1 tsp of dry mustard (1 colher de cha de mostarda em po)
1/2 tsp of garlic powder (1/2 colher de cha de alho em po)
1 tsp of salt (1 colher se cha de sal)
1/2 tsp of black pepper (1/2 colher de cha de pimenta do reino)
1 pinch of cayenne or more if you prefer spicy ( pimenta vermelha a gosto)
Cook the Lentils in medium heat for about 30 minutes. The lentils should absorb most of the water, but if it looks too watery after they are cooked, remove some of the water. Lower the heat and add all the remaining ingredients. Let it simmer for another 15-20 minutes. Serve it on a bun with your favorite toppings! I suggest pickles, coleslaw, and sweet potato fries.
Cozinhe a lentilha em fogo medio por 30 minutos. Se ainda restar muita agua, retire um pouco da agua antes de adicionar os ingredientes restantes. Adicione o resto dos ingredientes e deixe cozinhar em fogo baixo por 15-20 minutos. Sirva com um pao de hamburger. Sugestao de servir com pickles, e salada de repolho, e batata doce frita.
Do you want to discover what an Ayurveda diet is all about?
Contact me at armenia@blissbalancehealth.com to find out!
Bliss Balance Health 
perfect! ❤