VEGAN SLOPPY JOES

If you've never used TVP (textured vegetable protein) as a protein source/meat substitute, well, you should.  It is so cheap and easy and fast and it tastes like whatever you put it in.  It is completely versatile and a great way to get that "meat" feeling while still sticking to your vegan ways.

Today I bought about 10 cups of TVP at our local food co-op and it cost me $5.83.  I use 1 cup of dry TVP and mix it with 1 cup of boiling water or broth to equal about 1 pound of meat. So it's the same amount as 10 pounds of meat for $5.83.  That's pretty reasonable.

Use TVP the same way you would ground beef or ground turkey/chicken.  I use it to make sandwiches, casseroles and taco filler. 

To reconstitute the TVP, add 1 cup boiling liquid to 1 cup TVP.  Stir it up and let it sit about 5 minutes.  Then use the same as browned meat.

Today's lunch is Sloppy Joe Sandwiches with fresh fruit and corn on the cob.  I serve the sandwiches on mini-buns or cocktail rolls for the daycare kids so they aren't too big to handle.  My favorite way to eat them is with a lot of pickles on top! 

(If you want to CHEAT, just stir the reconstituted TVP together with a couple cans of your favorite Sloppy Joe or Manwich mix.  I do this in large batches in the crock pot for potluck dinners. Big hit.)

VEGAN SLOPPY JOE SANDWICHES
2 c. dry TVP
2 c. vegetable broth, boiling

1 c. finely diced onion
1 c. finely diced green pepper
1 t. garlic powder
2 t. yellow mustard (or 1 t. spicy brown mustard)
1 1/2 c. ketchup (or 1 c. ketchup plus 1/2 c. your favorite BBQ sauce)
2 T. brown sugar
1/4 c. water

In a bowl, stir together the TVP and broth and let sit about 5 minutes. In a fry pan, saute the rest of the ingredients.  Let simmer about 5 minutes, then stir TVP mixture into the sauce.  Season with salt and pepper to taste (season after adding TVP so it isn't too salty from the broth).  Cook just until warmed.  Do not let the TVP boil.  Serve on bread or buns.