Brown Lentil Vegan Sloppy Joe

Ingredients

1 cup brown lentils, rinsed and drained

4 cups water

2 cloves garlic, cut in half

1 bay leaf

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon olive oil

½ cup yellow onion, diced

½ cup green pepper, diced

1 carrot, shredded

1 roma tomato, diced

1 cup ketchup

2 teaspoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

½ teaspoon chipotle powder

Directions

Add lentils to 4 cups of water along with garlic, bay lead, and salt.  Bring just to a boil, stir, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until lentils are cooked but not mushy (18 to 20 minutes). Remove garlic and bay leaf.

In a skillet sauté onion, carrot, and green pepper until crisp tender. Stir in tomatoes and sauté a few minutes. Then, stir in ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and chipotle powder.  Stir until well mixed, then cook for 3 to 5 minutes over low heat.  Stir in lentils and serve immediately.