BBQ Lentils and 'Shrooms.

If you're anything like me, BBQ anything is good...but when it's hearty brown lentils and meaty mushrooms that are dredged in a sweet and tangy spicy BBQ sauce?! Well, "good" just turned into "glorious"!
This is a super quick protein dish that is perfect to throw on top of a toasted hamburger bun, rice cakes, mixed greens, steamed veggies, or even brown rice or quinoa. Takes about 5 minutes, start to finish (no joke!), and tastes as if you slaved in the kitchen for hours. Sounds to me like I just decided what you're having for lunch tomorrow (or midnight snack tonight, maybe?!). Enjoy, everyone!

BBQ Lentils and 'Shrooms.

BBQ Lentils and 'Shrooms. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one.

Ingredients

1. 1/2 cup canned lentils, drained and rinsed

2. 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms

3. 3 T BBQ sauce of choice (try my Spicy Chipotle BBQ recipe, on the blog!)

Method

1. Combine all ingredients in a small soup pot over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring constantly, until heated through and bubbling slightly. Serve as desired! 

BBQ Beans and Tangerines.

Ok don't ask WHAT made me think of this...but be glad I did...and that I'm sharing the recipe NOW instead of saving it for my cookbook! Enjoy friends. 

    BBQ Beans and Tangerines. 

         For reals though. This is bomb. 

BBQ Beans and Tangerines. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 3 oz. sliced white onion

2. 3/4 cup great northern beans (chickpeas would be Delish too!)

3. 1/4 cup BBQ sauce (like my spicy BBQ on the blog!)

4. One large tangerine, sectioned

5. Lettuce for serving 

Method

1. First, halve your tangerine and section it. Place about 4 slices in a plastic baggy and stick in the freezer overnight (or for at least 8 hours). 

2. Place onions in a small saucepan with a little water. Caramelize until soft. Add beans and stir (water should be prett much gone). Toss in your fresh tangerine chunks and add BBQ sauce. Stir well and cook, stirring regularly, over medium heat until gooey and luscious smelling. 

3. Spoon beans mixture over your lettuce (use spinach for extra iron!). Take your frozen tang slices out of the freezer and, using a hand grater, grate over dish to make "frozen citrus zest"...aka the secret ingredient of why this recipe is seriously insane. Serve immediately. 

BBQ Quinoa Crust Pizza

I've tried a LOT of different pizza crust recipes, and so far, this one is probably one of my favorites (either this one or my pinto pizza crust recipe)! Surprisingly easy, super delicious, and packed with protein. Did you know the quinoa grain is a complete protein all by itself?! This pizza just got even more awesome. And this crust combined with this BBQ sauce...oh. I think I've gone to vegan food Heaven...

BBQ Quinoa Crust Pizza.

BBQ Quinoa Crust Pizza; Vegan, Gluten-Free. Makes one Pizza.

Ingredients

For the Crust

1. 1/2 cup quinoa, soaked 8+ hours
2. 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
3. onion and garlic powders, to taste

Method

1. To soak your quinoa, simply add it to a medium size bowl and cover with water. Cover and let sit for at least 8 hours. 
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment. 
3. Drain water off of quinoa and add it to a mini food processor, along with vinegar and spices. Process until a dough forms. 
4. Scoop out dough and spread evenly onto parchment. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes.
5. While crust is baking, prepare your BBQ sauce (recipe below) and toppings of choice (I used sliced mushrooms and fresh spinach leaves). 
6. Remove crust from oven, let cool 5-10 minutes, then spread about 3 T of BBQ sauce over crust. Add toppings and bake 10 more minutes. Remove, let cool 5-10 minutes, and serve!

For the BBQ sauce

1. 1 T apple cider vinegar 
2. 1 T agave nectar
3. about 2 tsp lemon juice
4. 1/4 tsp chipotle powder
5. 1 1/2 T no salt added tomato paste ( I use Muir Glen Brand)
6. 1 T Bragg's liquid aminos
7. 1/2 T arrowroot powder
8. 1/2 tsp black pepper
9. dashes of paprika, cumin, and onion powder
10. 1/2 tsp spicy brown mustard

Method

1. Combine all ingredients in a small soup pot over low-medium heat and cook, stirring regularly, until thickened and warmed. 

Spicy BBQ sauce.