Lentil Sloppy Joes

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 green pepper, diced
• 2 ½ cups (600 ml) spaghetti sauce
• 19-ounce can (562 ml) green lentils, drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) chili powder
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) pepper
• Hamburger buns, for serving
• Sliced pickles, for serving
• Pickled Onions (see recipe), for serving

For the pickled onions:

• 1 large red onion
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) red wine vinegar
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) sugar
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt

Method:

1. Heat oil in a large skillet. Add onion, garlic, and green pepper and cook until soft.
2. Pour in spaghetti sauce and lentils and stir to incorporate. Add maple syrup, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, salt, and pepper and stir to combine. Cook, simmering, for 15 minutes.
3. Remove from heat. Scoop lentil mixture onto hamburger buns and top with pickles and Pickled Onions (see recipe).

For the pickled onion

1. Peel and slice red onion in half. Thinly slice each half and add to a bowl.
2. Place vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small pot and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and pour hot mixture over sliced onions. Cover and let sit for 20 minutes.