Vegetarian Sloppy Joes

1 cup uncooked lentils
4 cups water
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 red bell pepper, chopped into small pieces
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 yellow onion, chopped into small pieces
3 Tbsp chili powder
2 teaspoons oregano
1 teaspoon salt
8 ounces tomato sauce
1/4 cup tomato paste
3 Tbsp maple syrup
1 Tbsp yellow mustard
Buns

Combine lentils and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.

About 10 minutes before lentils are done, add pepper and onion to a medium pot and saute for 7 minutes.

Add garlic and cook another minute.

Drain lentils and add to pepper/onion/garlic.

Add chili powder, oregano, and salt, then tomato sauce and paste.

Cook 10 minutes.

Add syrup and mustard, and give it a couple of minutes to heat through.

Serve on buns.

optional: top with cheese