Untidy Josephs (AKA Sloppy Joes)
I promised I would give you info on my vegetarian Untidy Josephs, and here I am, with pictures!!
This is a very simple meal, cheap too! Mashing the beans is the only annoying part, but it is worth it. So let’s get to it!
- Ingredients:
- 4 cans of Beans, drained and rinsed
- Can of Untidy Joseph sauce
- Onion
- Bell Pepper
- Twist of Olive Oil
1) Drain and rinse the cans of beans.
2) Next, mash beans.
This is the annoying part. I have a small kitchen and so I cannot store many gadgets. I do a lot of prep work with a cutting board and knife. In this instance, it is a fork. If you have a food processor, you may be able to use it to mash the beans, but I don’t know if it is going to gum up your machine. Regardless, you CAN make this dish without any special equipment.
It is important to mash the beans. I tried making this without mashing, just leaving the beans whole, and it turns out soupy. It is not quite as pleasing in the mouth either.
If you can get this consistency with a different method, you are good.
3) Move all mashed beans in to a bowl and set aside.
4) Dice onion and bell pepper.
Fine pieces are best, but as you can see from my cutting, larger chunks work out as well.
5) Heat olive oil in pan on medium high heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper to pan. Saute for about 5 minutes, stirring to prevent burning.
6) Add mashed beans. Lower temperature to medium. The beans are canned, so they are ready to eat. You are just warming them up.
7) Add the can of Untidy Joseph sauce. I add a little water to the “empty” can and swish it around to get the last bit of sauce out of the can, then pour it in. I don’t like wasting! It does not look like 1 can of sauce will be enough to go over the 4 cans of beans, onion and bell pepper. Trust me, it will.
8) Once it is warmed, you are done!
Pro tip: I put the Untidy Joseph mush into hot dog buns. It is easier to hold and eat. Plus I think it is easier to put toppings on. I know it defeats the whole purpose of a *sloppy* sandwich, but honestly, I make a big enough mess when I am eating, and my 3 year old?? Yeah, she is making a mess regardless of what I set in front of her! I will take the cheat when I can!
Also, I have eaten this as almost like dip. I have used potato chips and tortilla chips to eat this. It does well as a left over and sometimes I run out of buns/bread and I am left with chips/shells from Taco Tuesday, so I use those to eat the Untidy Joseph “meat”.
Try this! Tell me what you think! I love it! Like I said, it is quick, easy and cheap. And let me tell you, I am liking the cheap right now! I am going to put the steps to make this below, so you don’t have to constantly scan your phone through these pictures trying to figure out what is next, while you are trying to cook and multitask the rest of your life!
- Drain and rinse the cans of beans.
- Mash beans.
- Move all mashed beans in to a bowl and set aside.
- Dice onion and bell pepper.
- Heat olive oil in pan on medium high heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper to pan. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring to prevent burning.
- Add mashed beans. Lower temperature to medium. You are just warming them up.
- Add the can of Untidy Joseph sauce.
- Once it is warmed, you are done!
I have used lettuce, pickles and tomatoes as extra toppings. You can add spices (garlic, curry) or herbs (basil, chives) to the onion and bell pepper sauteing step to add new flavor – and added health benefits! Tell me how it goes in the comments below! And – have a great one you guys!!
Half A Human 