Meatless Family Dinners

Lentil Sloppy Joes

Brown lentils hold their shape and read like mince. This is the one that converts the sceptics at the table.

What goes in

• 1 1/2 cups dry brown lentils, rinsed
• 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, grated
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 2 tbsp brown sugar · 1 tbsp yellow mustard · 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tsp smoked paprika · 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1 1/2 tsp salt · 1 tsp black pepper

Stir in at the end

• 6 soft burger buns, toasted
• dill pickle slices, to serve

How to make it

1. Rinse the lentils and put them in the pot with the onion, pepper, grated carrot and garlic.
2. Stir in the ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, paprika, chilli powder, salt and pepper.
3. Pour the broth over and stir. Lid on.
4. Low 6 hours or high 3 hours, until the lentils are tender but still whole.
5. Lid off the last 30 minutes so it thickens enough to sit in a bun.
6. Taste for salt and vinegar, then spoon onto toasted buns with pickles.