Tempeh and mixed bean sloppy joes!

Just made amazing (I know, I need to find new adjectives) tempeh sloppy joes with mixed beans. It was kind of a lengthy process because I made the pasta sauce fresh, but the sauce is really easy to make! I make it all the time, and I will let you in on the recipe!

Homemade Health Monster Tomato Sauce:                   You do need a hand puree-er

• 2 cans of whole tomatoes (get the ones with no salt added and no extra stuff), organic is always good
• 1 medium sized vidalia onion, chopped
• 6 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon pepper
• 3 bay leaves

Yes, it's that easy!

Directions:
Saute the onions and garlic until the onions are translucent. Now add the tomatoes and bay leaves. Cook on low to medium heat for about 45 minutes. Make sure to keep stirring, a burnt sauce is not a good one.
You can always tell if the sauce is burnt, because when it is pureed it is red. Great tomato sauces are orange. After it is cooked remove the bay leaves ( I know, total pain in the ass). Puree and enjoy!

Now, for the sloppy joes:

• 1 250 gram pack of tempeh
• 1 medium vidalia onion
• 1 bell pepper ( I used red)
• 1 can mixed beans
• 425 ml pasta sauce
• 1.5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (for sauteing)
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon lime juice
• 3 tablespoons hot sauce (I used a chipotle tasting one)

Directions: 
Steam the tempeh for about 10 minutes, or until it easily crumbles. Saute the onions first until they are translucent, then add the crumbled tempeh and sweet pepper. Saute this for about 3 minutes, keep stiring, then add the rest of the ingredients. Add more salt and pepper if you need it. Saute for a few more minutes. Add to a bun and enjoy!!!

Tempeh, onion and red pepper

Finished Product!

I guess you can already tell that lots of napkins are needed for this one!

I also made a really great salad for dinner. I took romaine, and added red bell pepper, 1/2 red onion, 2 radishes, 1/2 a cucumber, pumpkin seeds and poppy seeds.
Dressing:

• 2.5 tablespoons balsamic
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1.5 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1.5 teaspoons dijon
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Mix it all up and enjoy!
Recipe adapted from Oh She Glows  "Better than Bottled Balsamic Vinaigrette"

I'll let you know how the muffins turn out!