Happy Halloween! With the Halloween weekend upon us already this year, I thought it would be the perfect time to post a simple recipe that everyone in your family will love–not to mention this whole dinner, fries and all, takes less-than-an-hour to make and is a waaaay healthier alternative to traditional Sloppy Joe’s and fries.

It’s nearly dinner-time on a fun holiday weekend, so I’m not gonna eat your time up with all the tricks and tips to these Sloppy Joe’s– the recipe is super simple and probably not too unlike the ways you’ve made Sloppy Joe’s before; just now, cruelty-free. ✌🏻 Enjoy your Halloween!

Spicy (Vegan) Sloppy Joe’s & Garlic Fries

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Prep for 30 minutes

Cook for 35 minutes

Ready in about 45 minutes

Serves 4 regular people or 2 very hungry people.

It’s Vegan! ✌🏻

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Ingredients

Sloppy Joe’s:

Bulk:

• Plant-Based Protein Starter
• Daiya Jalapeño Havarti Block 
• Burger Buns

Veggies:

• Yellow Onion
• Green Onion
• Pickled Jalapeño 

Seasonings/Extras:

• Cilantro Seasoning
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• A-1 Sauce
• Ketchup
• Lime Juice

Roasted Garlic Fries:

Bulk:

• Russet Potatoes 

Seasonings/Extras:

• Olive Oil
• Rosemary, fresh
• Garlic, fresh & powdered
• Nutritional Yeast

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Preparation

First, the fries…

1. Preheat your oven to 425F, and place your Protein Starter in the fridge – or under cold, running water – to thaw.
2. Grab as many potatoes as you want to have fries– you know better how many fries you want than me, honestly; my husband and I love fries, so I sliced about 6 potatoes for two of us.
3. Wash and slice each potato, making your slices thin and long– about a ¼” thick, and the length of the potato.
4. Put your sliced potatoes into a mixing bowl, and set aside for just a second.
5. Mince a lot of garlic – at least 4 cloves! – and place ‘em in the bowl with the potatoes.
6. Hand-tear a few sprigs of fresh Rosemary, and place those torn herb bits in the bowl, too.
7. Now, pour in enough Olive Oil to liberally and evenly coat each fry, and then sprinkle with: Salt, Nutritional Yeast and Garlic Powder.
8. Toss everything together in the bowl by hand, until evenly incorporated.
9. Lightly grease a baking sheet, place the fries evenly across it, and place in the oven for 35 minutes, or until golden brown.

Now, the Sloppy Joe’s!

1. Take out your mostly-to-fully thawed Protein Starter, as well as a large frying pan.
2. Quickly grease your frying pan, place all of the starter into the pan, and then  place on medium-low heat, covered.
3. As the Protein Starter begins to heat up and brown, use a spatula to break it up and stir, to ensure it all cooks evenly, and also to prevent burning.
4. While you are keeping your eye on the frying pan and stirring often, take a moment to rough chop one (1) Yellow Onion and a bundle of Green Onion. Add these to your frying pan, along with a touch more oil, and stir!
5. Take out your Daiya Jalapeño Havarti Block, and slice it into thin strips, only about twice as thick as if it were shredded. Set aside.
6. You’re almost done! Turn the heat up on your frying pan to medium-high, and add a little bit more Olive Oil over your ingredients, and stir.
7. Over the top of your pan contents, include A-1 Sauce and just a bit of Ketchup, and then stir!
8. Throw in a few Pickled Jalapeño slices, to taste, and then add: Salt, Black Pepper, Cilantro Seasoning; then, squeeze just a bit of Lime Juice over the ingredients, as well. Now, stir a lot and quickly! 

Don’t let it over-cook or dry out! Add little bits of olive oil if you need a little extra time forgiveness!

9. Now, once it is fully cooked, turn your pan down to low, and add your sliced Havarti-style block, and allow to sit covered for just a few minutes to allow the cheese to melt while you toast the burger buns.
10. Viola! Put those buns on a plate, top with the Sloppy Joe base, close the buns, and serve with the fries you made– that will probably be ready right on time!
11. Enjoy!

Thanks for reading!

~ Chef G.