Fresh City Vegan Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

• 1.5
  
  cups yellow onion, roughly chopped
  
• 1
  
  pint button mushrooms, halved and thinly sliced
  
• 1.5
  
  cups dry lentils
  
• 4
  
  cups water
  
• 3
  
  garlic cloves, minced
  
• 1
  
  cup tomatoes, diced
  
• 3
  
  tablespoons tomato paste
  
• 2
  
  tablespoons italian seasoning
  
• 4
  
  classic gourmet burger buns
  
• 6
  
  kale leaves, rinsed
  
• 2
  
  tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325F
2. In a medium pot, bring water and lentils to a boil. Cover tightly, reduce heat and simmer until lentils are tender. For whole lentils, cook time is typically 15-20 minutes.
3. In the meantime, heat a large pan over medium heat. Add olive oil and onions. Sautee for 3-5 minutes, follow with garlic and cook until fragrant (2-3 minutes).
4. Reduce pan to medium-low. Once lentils are fully cooked, drain any excess liquid and add lentils to pan, along with tomatoes, tomato paste, seasoning, and mushrooms. Cook for another 5-6 minutes.
5. Prepare buns: Slice in half. Add to oven flat side down. Toast for 2 minutes and remove from heat.
6. Place 1 kale leaf on the bottom half of your burger bun. Spoon over Sloppy Joe mix and add the top half of your bun. Repeat, serve, and enjoy!