We ate a LOT of sloppy Joes when I was a kid, but for some reason, I never really bothered to make them after I grew up — which is a shame, because they’re cheap, easy and good. I sort of forgot they existed until a colleague and I were out on assignment a couple of weeks ago, and we stopped at a small-town dairy bar whose specialty is sloppy Joes. I enjoyed mine thoroughly and decided to throw together a vegan version last week. I think it might have been better than the original.
Vegan Sloppy Joes
1 bag Boca crumbles (available in the freezer case at most grocery stores)
1/2 bunch green onions or 1/2 small yellow onion, chopped
About 1/2 c. chopped bell peppers (any color; frozen are fine)
Olive oil
Ketchup
Mustard
Your favorite barbecue sauce
Margarine (optional)
Hamburger buns
Saute the peppers in olive oil until soft. Add onions and saute until tender. Add Boca crumbles and a little more oil, if necessary, and cook until heated through. Stir in ketchup, mustard and barbecue sauce to taste.
Melt a little margarine in a skillet and toast buns in it lightly if desired. Assemble sandwiches and serve. Makes about five sandwiches.
Red Fork Hippie 