Lentil Sloppy Joes

Lunches as the weather gets colder tend to go from cold to hot.  By the time the first snow and ice of the season arrives we'll eat out biggest meal of the day at noon and have a slight  supper of a simple salad or bowl of soup for dinner.

The other week, during our last cookout of the year, I made some buns to go with the burgers.  I had no yeast so I came up with a recipe that was a cross between a biscuit and a bun (the "buncuit" and they were tender and so good, but sturdy enough for the burger.

No yeast "Buncuits" (a cross between a biscuit and a hamburger bun)

In one bowl mix:
3 and 1/2 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

In another bowl mix:
1 and 1/2 cups kefir (fermented milk drink) or plain yogurt
1 stick butter  or non dairy stick, softened until starting to melt
3 Tablespoons wild honey

Combine wet and dry and stir until it holds together. Place on floured board and knead 12-14 times, adding flour as necessary to keep it from being too sticky. This is more than you'd knead biscuits but LESS than bread. You don't want it so smooth and elastic that you have a a hockey puck when you are done.

Make six small balls out of the dough. Give each another knead in your hands and form into a ball and place on a greased baking sheet. Flatten slightly.

Bake in 375 F preheated oven for 17-20 minutes. The top will NOT get brown, but the bottom will. Check for doneness with a toothpick.

But what to do with the leftover ones?

Lentil Sloppy Joes on Buncuits.

Lentils are low in calories, and super high in fiber and protein, to make a filling lunch or dinner.  1/2 cup of lentils dry, then cooked, has less than 150 calories and 16 grains of protein.  Pair it with a grain and you have a complete, filling protein and they make a great burger substitution in soups, chilis and stews.

3 cups of cooked lentils.
1 Tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 onion (onion and garlic are optional)
1 and 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 and 1/2 teaspoons cumin
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
a pinch or two of crushed red pepepr
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 dashes of cinnamon
1 and 1/2 Tablespoon raw honey
1 14 to 15 ounce can tomato sauce
1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 Tablespons tamari (or use soy sauce).

Cook lentils for 20-25 minutes, until soft, in boiling water and drain (I just dumped some in the pot, so there were leftovers I mixed with leftover rice and froze for something later).

While lentils cook, if you're using onion and garlic saute until soft in a little olive oil. Add remaining ingredients and warm to blend

When lentils are done, drain and add to liquid ingredients, stir until heated through. Makes enough to serve 4-6

For dessert - you've eaten healthy so try and stay out of the leftover Halloween candy and have an apple instead :-)