World Cup BBQ Salad Bowl

I am writing this at half-time of the U.S. vs. Belgium game.*

Today, my handsome husband picked up some local barbeque for our futbol-based lunchbreak.  It smells heavenly.  I was almost angry because, after growing up in Texas, BBQ is the one smell that makes me question all of my dietary decisions.  I smell that smokey goodness, and all I can think is, "I want that. Now."

See, I did not switch to a vegetarian lifestyle for a lack of desire to eat meat.  I still crave it all the time, but usually just remembering a few of the reasons I chose to avoid it is enough to overcome a craving. For BBQ, it takes a little something extra, a little taste from home if you will.

Here's my trick that keeps me from hangry fits.

Thankfully, my favorite BBQ joint in all the world started jarring their sauce... mmmmm.  Vitek's BBQ started in 1915 and has been an asset to the great state of Texas ever since.  I finally discovered this great fact and got my first jar.  I am thrilled to say that it was just as tangy and sweet as the real deal in Waco, TX!

To satisfy my carnivorous side, I mixed the sauce in a bowl with lentils and chickpeas.  I had rehydrated and cooked both of these earlier this week.

Then I tossed it with some chopped up romaine, and had it with a side of potato salad (for the sake of indulgence).  If you are so inclined, you can toss in some corn chips for extra salt and crunch.  I use them to scoop up the remaining BBQ lentils at the end.

#ibelievethatwewillwin #merica

(no bacon here)

This is a tasty, healthy way to avoid violence when the meat-smokers fire up and to still appreciate the fine art of BBQ!  You can try to get sauce from your or your family's favorite joint or make your own.  Whatever you do, you can't have mine.  As it is, I am all too close to eating it like soup with a spoon.

*At the end of that heart-wrenching game, I needed that potato salad.  And some ice cream.

With love,
R