Vegetarian Sloppy Joes a.k.a. Sloppy Tamaras

If you have not been too keen on tofu, but are willing to give it another go, this is an excellent dish to try.  The flavors are robust, so even those who don't normally care for tofu will be won over.  We serve it traditional Sloppy Joe style, spooned over a toasted roll.  It makes a perfect alternative to burgers in the summer but really could be served anytime of year.  The dish has just a tiny bit of chili powder so that the children can still tolerate it, but you could pass chili pepper flakes at the table if you want a bit more heat. 

In addition to being delicious, this dish is very quick to prepare.  It is one of our regular weeknight dinners.

Years ago we dubbed this dish "Sloppy Tamaras," after our friend Tamara, who actually is not at all sloppy.  But she is married to Joe, and when we needed an alternative name for our vegetarian version of Sloppy Joes, that is the name that stuck.  Now when we sit down to our dinner of Sloppy Tamaras, we toast our friends.  Cheers!

 

Sloppy Tamaras

Serves 6
10 minutes preparation
20 minutes cooking time

3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 cloves garlic, chopped and divided
1 large onion, chopped and divided
1 28-ounce can tomatoes (preferably Roma tomatoes), chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 pound firm tofu, drained and crumbled
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
salt to taste

Sandwich rolls for serving

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

First make the tomato sauce.  Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a medium saucepan and add 1 teaspoon of the garlic and approximately 1 cup of the onion.  Cook until the onion and garlic have softened, approximately 5-6 minutes.  Add the tomatoes and let the sauce simmer until you need it to complete the dish.

In a large frying pan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil.  Add the remaining garlic and onion and the green pepper and cook until soft, about 7 to 8 minutes.  Add the tofu, soy sauce, chili powder, cumin, and salt and gently mash it together.  Mix in the tomato sauce and let the mixture simmer for a few more minutes.

Slice the rolls open and put them in the oven to warm.  Spoon the mixture over the warmed buns.

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Comments

[Tamara Rice]

Love it! I'm glad you think of us when you cook...because we think of you guys all the time too. Hide the Cheese is a regular cookbook at our house now. I can't think of a better way to be immortalized...a sloppy dish in my honor!!

[David]

this looks great. I have to try this