Healthier Sloppy Joes With Spaghetti Squash Quinoa Buns
 
 
Ingredients
Spaghetti Squash Quinoa Buns (this should make about 12-14 buns, I would freeze the leftovers):
  • 1 egg
  • ⅔ cup almond flour
  • 2 cups spaghetti squash, cooked and wringed out
  • 2 cups quinoa, cooked
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (optional)
  • ½ cup fresh spinach, finely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. Umami powder (you can purchase on amazon or in my store)
  • 1 Tbsp. garlic powder
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, minced
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • grapeseed oil for cooking, about 2 tbsp. per batch
Sloppy Joe Meat:
  • 3 Tablespoons Butter
  • 1 cup Onion, diced
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper, diced
  • 4 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1½ lb. bison meat
  • 2 Tablespoons Dark or Light Brown Sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard
  • 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
  • ¾ Teaspoon Liquid Smoke
  • 1½ Tablespoon Chili Powder
  • 1 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
  • ½ tsp. cinnamon
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 Cup Ketchup, low sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
To prepare the buns:
  1. Before you combine ingredients, make sure you wring out the spaghetti squash really really well. I would suggest making it a day ahead and letting it sit in a strainer and container in the fridge. You must get most of the liquid out of the squash, otherwise the buns will fall apart.
  2. Combine all ingredients except grapeseed oil in a medium/large mixing bowl.
  3. Refrigerate mixture for about half an hour, until the patties become easier to form (while you refrigerate them, start the meat).
  4. Once they are cold enough to form patties, shape, and lay them out on paper towels until you are ready to saute.
  5. Saute until each side of the patty browns.
To cook the meat:
  1. Heat a large pan and add in butter. Once it is melted, add in the onion, garlic, and bellpepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, then add in the meat. Break up the meat well as it cooks with a wooden spoon. Season well with salt and pepper. Once the meat browns, add in the brown sugar, dijon, Worcestershire, liquid smoke, chili powder, paprika, cinnamon, and ½ cup of the water. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes. Taste for seasoning and add more salt and pepper as needed.
  2. Add in the cider vinegar and ketchup and cook the meat for at least 30 minutes, or longer (I usually cook for about an hour, or however long I want until I am ready to eat).
Put it all together:
  1. Place the meat in the quinoa patties, top with fresh parsley, and serve!
Recipe by A Tasty Mess at https://atastymess.com/healthier-sloppy-joes/