TVP Sloppy Joes

If you've never experimented with textured vegetable protein- I highly recommend it! It's actually a soy protein that is commonly used as a meat substitute. It works especially well when making veggie burgers and veggie sloppy joes. You can find tvp at most health food stores, and whole foods offers it in their bulk food section for a very reasonable price. Hope you like it as much as I do!

Ingredients:
•2-3 tbsp olive oil
•1 large onion, diced
•1 green or red bell pepper, diced
•1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
•2 1/2 cups tomato sauce
•1 tbsp chili powder
•1 tbsp garlic powder
•1 tbsp soy sauce
•dash hot sauce or Tabasco sauce (optional)
•1 tbsp sugar
•1 1/2 cups TVP
•salt and pepper to taste
•5-6 hamburger buns or tortillas if you prefer wraps

Directions:
In a large skillet, sautee the onion and peppers in olive oil for 3 to 5 minutes, or until onions are soft.
Reduce heat to medium low and add all ingredients (except the buns of course!) and stir well to combine. Allow to simmer for at least 15 more minutes.
Spoon onto hamburger buns/tortillas and serve hot.
Last time I made these I put a few strips of room temperature brie and some sliced bread and butter pickles on the buns before spooning on the sloppy joe mixture, and it was sooo good!