Posted April 8, 2013
The appeal of some dishes, I’m convinced, comes from the memories they evoke as much as from the taste.
So, when cooks fiddle with time-honored recipes, they might mess with shared histories as well.
A revamp to suit a more healthful diet is thus considered tricky.
Sloppy joes, for example, are recalled by many people as a favorite dish from childhood.
Yet, in the traditional form, a single sandwich has almost 500 calories and 30 grams of fat.
To boost the nutritional profile of sloppy joes, I swap lentils for some of the ground beef: The small legumes have a texture similar to that of ground meat — but with plenty of fiber and without any fat.
The key is to keep the seasonings similar.
I still use ketchup and brown sugar to create the sauce, with a hit of Worcestershire for extra flavor.
To make the sandwiches even more healthful, I serve the sloppy joes on whole-wheat buns.
Many bun brands offer a “white whole-wheat” version with the flavor and texture of a traditional bun, and the nutrition of whole wheat.
The makeover of the sandwich contains about 100 fewer calories and half the fat as well as 7 grams of fiber — but retains the taste from childhood.
robin.davis@dispatch.com
@DispatchKitchen
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