Recipe: Vegetarian Sloppy Joes

VEGETARIAN SLOPPY JOES

1 (8 ounce) package soy tempeh, broken into quarters
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup minced onion
1 medium clove garlic, peeled and minced
1/8 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/8 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 medium red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and finely chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and finely chopped
2 plum tomatoes, cored and coarsely chopped
1 cup canned tomato puree
1/3 cup ketchup or smoky barbecue sauce
Optional: 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke (if using ketchup instead of barbecue sauce)
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 whole-wheat hamburger buns, split

Place the soy tempeh in a steamer basket set over simmering water, cover the pan and steam 10 minutes. Cool. Break up into fine pieces.

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and saute 5 minutes. Add the garlic, turmeric, cumin seeds and cayenne. Stir 1 minute. Then add the red and green bell peppers and tomatoes, cover and cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir together the tomato puree, ketchup, liquid smoke, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, lime juice and salt. Add to the vegetables with the tempeh, stirring well. Cover and cook over medium-low heat 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Put the split hamburger buns, cut-side up, on a baking sheet. Place under a hot broiler and toast.

Place the buns on 4 plates and spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture on top.

Servings: 4
Source: Vegetarian Burgers by Bharti Kirchner