For a healthier version of Sloppy Joes, Chef Chad Sarno, Whole Foods Market’s senior culinary educator, packs his filling (see below) with vegetables and lean ground turkey breast instead of pork or beef. Instead of white bread buns, add nutrients and texture by serving your messy sandwich on sprouted whole grain buns, over brown rice or with whole grain pasta.
Recipe: Turkey Sloppy Janes
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 tablespoons no-salt-added tomato paste
1 cup grated carrots (from 1 large carrot)
3/4 pound ground turkey breast
1 (15 ounce) can no-salt-added tomato sauce
1/2 cup chopped pitted dates (about 5 dates)
4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
5 teaspoons yellow mustard
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and pepper and cook until starting to stick and lightly brown, stirring frequently, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, carrots and 2 tablespoons water and cook 2 minutes longer or until carrots are tender, stirring occasionally and scraping any browned bits from the surface of the pan. Add turkey and cook 3 minutes or until turkey is no longer pink, stirring to break it up as it cooks. Stir in tomato sauce, dates, vinegar, mustard and 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 15 minutes to blend flavors.
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