One-Pot Wonders

Lentil Sloppy Joe Lettuce Wraps

by:
March  3, 2013
5
1 Ratings
Lentil Sloppy Joe Lettuce Wraps
  • Serves 4
Author Notes

From the moment I tasted "Lentils Like Baked Beans" from "The Art of Living According to Joe Beef: A Cookbook of Sorts" (a souvenir from my trip to the Montreal restaurant last summer), I was in love. I knew I could adapt the recipe in endless ways and make it my own, and that's what I've done here. These Lentil Sloppy Joes are 99% vegetarian (omit the Worcestershire for strict vegetarians), and are satisfying and filling, even for those who typically prefer meat. The lentils are simmered until they are tender, all the while being flavored with sweetness from brown sugar and tomato sauce, acidity from apple cider vinegar, saltiness from Worcestershire sauce, and a bit of kick from black pepper and yellow mustard. Serve the lentils in crisp, cool lettuce leaves, or on their own, topped with a poached egg. —foxeslovelemons

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 red or green bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 large shallot, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 8 ounces tomato sauce
  • 1-1/2 cups water
  • 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 8 large iceberg lettuce leaves
Directions
  1. In a Dutch oven or large saucepot with lid, heat oil over medium heat. Add bell pepper; cook 4 to 5 minutes or until softened, stirring frequently. Add garlic, shallot and tomato paste; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  2. Stir in remaining ingredients, except lettuce leaves. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat. Cover with lid, reduce heat to low and simmer 30 to 35 minutes or until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaf.
  3. Serve lentils wrapped in lettuce leaves.
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6 Reviews

Douglas B.
Douglas B. October 20, 2019
super delish
 
Douglas B.
Douglas B. March 4, 2017
I have a tomato allergy so I deep roasted a spaghetti squash and used that instead of tomato product. And I used homemade organic duck broth in stead of water. Came out simply YUMMY .adding crusty bread and cheese also sounds lovely combination as read in a comment here as well. thanks food52 for this inspirational recipe
 
pamelda
pamelda January 26, 2014
I have tried this twice now and we really love it! The egg on top sounds great as well. We had it open face on crusty bread and grated a bit of cheese on top. It was fantastic. I replaced the cayenne pepper with smoked paprika, which gave it a nice smokey flavour. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
 
foxeslovelemons
foxeslovelemons January 26, 2014
Yum, love the crusty bread + grated cheese idea, pamelda! I'm so glad you love the recipe. I also really like the smoked paprika swap. Smoked paprika makes almost anything better, in my opinion.
 
denise&food
denise&food January 8, 2014
I made this yesterday and they are wonderful!
 
foxeslovelemons
foxeslovelemons January 8, 2014
So glad to hear that, denise&food. Thanks!