Sloppy Janes

Sloppy Jane, the sister to Sloppy Joe, is a little more refined and effortless. She has pizazz and stands out in a crowd. Unlike her brother she really shows her Southwestern roots but still maintains that traditional flavor you grew up with as a kid. She is mock meat free and relies on cremini mushrooms and black beans to give a hearty and even sloppier bite than Joe has ever been able to bring to the table. Let's face it, Jane was the favorite child.

Cremini mushrooms, black beans, red onions and green chiles slow simmered in a crock pot for 5 hours with hints of sweet and sour flavors. Serve on toasted rolls with sweet potato fries.

Two Years Ago Today Candy Cane Fudge

Sloppy Janes
serves 4-6
3 garlic cloves

1 carrot, roughly chopped
1 celery stalk, roughly chopped
1 small red onion, roughly chopped
8 oz cremini mushrooms
1-15oz can tomato sauce
1-15oz can black beans, drained
1-4oz can fire roasted green chiles
1/4 cup organic light brown sugar
3 tbl tomato paste
2 tbl apple cider vinegar
1 tbl vegan worcestershire sauce
1 tbl dijon mustard
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp black pepper
4-6 hamburger buns, toasted

Pulse the garlic, carrot, celery, red onion and mushrooms in a food processor into small chunks.
Transfer to a crock pot and add the remaining ingredients. Cook on high for 4 hours then remove the lid and cook one hour more.
Taste and season with salt and pepper.

Sloppy Peps

This recipe is great for leaving in the crock pot while you're at work or doing errands. You get all the smokey-sweet flavors of sloppy joes but in a green pepper instead of a bun. Adding carrots and sweet potatoes in the mix packs this dish with vitamins but is easily hidden from kids (or husbands).

Sweet potatoes, red peppers, carrots and vegan beef crumbles simmered in a sweet and smokey tomato sauce and packed in a green bell pepper.
Crock pots win again!

Sloppy Peps
serves 4
2 tbl extra virgin olive oil
1 spanish onion, small dice
1 carrot, small dice
1 cup small dice sweet potato
1 red bell pepper, medium dice
1 tbl garlic powder
1 tbl chile powder
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
12 oz Smart Grounds vegan beef crumbles
2 tbl organic light brown sugar
1 tbl vegan worcestershire sauce
2 tsp dijon mustard
1 tbl plus 1 tsp tomato paste
1-15oz can diced tomatoes
4 green bell peppers
1-15oz can tomato sauce
2 cups vegetable broth
salt and pepper
2 tbl chopped fresh parsley

Preheat a crock pot on high.
In a large pot, saute the onion and carrot until soft and fragrant, 5 minutes. Add the sweet potato and red bell pepper and saute 3 minutes more. Add the garlic powder, chile powder, red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Stir to combine and cook seasonings for 2 minutes. Add the beef crumbles and lightly brown, 3 minutes. Add the brown sugar, worcestershire sauce, mustard, tomato paste and diced tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes.
Cut the tops of of each green bell pepper and hollow out the inside. Fill each pepper with the filling mixture, packing in tight and overflowing slightly.
Pour the tomato sauce and vegetable broth into the bottom of the crock pot. Add 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper and stir to combine.
Place the peppers in the crock pot and cover. Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours.
Sprinkle with parley and serve.

Sloppy Sliders, Crispy Curry Green Bean Fries

I'm back! And I am ready to eat food, and most importantly, share it! I am still considering whether or not I want to make a thanksgiving dinner, because I missed out on eating delicious thanksgiving day food this year, but I might just move on and make sure my Christmas dinner is extra special. Thank god I have recovered with time remaining to still make holiday treats like fudge and candy, coming soon.

Sloppy Joe Sliders

2 tbl canola oil
1 small yellow onion, small dice
1 green bell pepper, small dice
1 package smart ground meat crumbles
1 tbl chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp pepper
1-6oz can tomato paste
1 cup water
3 tbl apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
small dinner rolls or large hamburger buns, toasted

In a large soup pot, heat the oil and saute the onions and bell pepper until soft, 10 minutes. Add the meat crumbles and saute to brown, 4 minutes. Add all of the spices and toss. Add the tomato paste and cook for a couple of minutes to get rid of the raw tomato flavor. De-glaze the bottom of the pan with 1 cup of water, scraping up all the bits. Add the vinegar and brown sugar and simmer the mixture over medium low heat for 15 minutes.

Crispy Curry Green Bean Fries

1/4 lb green beans, ends trimmed
1 cup cornstarch
2 tbl curry powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp pepper
Canola oil for frying

Fill a large stock pot with oil and bring to 360 degrees. In a large paper bag, add the cornstarch, curry, salt and pepper. Toss the green beans in the cornstarch mixture and add to oil. Fry until crispy and slightly browned. Drain on a paper towel and sprinkle with salt.