I know I’m being annoyingly clique right now but I REALLY wish it wasn’t Monday. I could have used one more day this weekend.

My oh-so-awesome landlord decided that the construction he has been doing the last several week should continue at 7 am on Saturday, my one day to sleep in. I was thrilled to turn over in bed at such an early hour and see a middle aged latino man working outside my window as I slept and he worked on the apartment. Thankfully, my blinds were mostly shut. Mostly.

I was then even more overjoyed to see that our driveway was strewed with wooden boards, discards shingles, tools and machines making it impossible for me to get out until around 4 pm, when they were finish their work and had cleaned up. So much for a fun filled day of errands and shopping

Yes, I was in an excellent mood on Saturday.

Thankfully, I made good use of my Saturday evening by having a few friends over and watching the first few episodes of Games of Throne. I may be kind of addicted! Can we just talk about how infuriating the Lannisters are?! ARGH! Every time Cersei Lannister and her ugly ass, scheming self are on the screen I just want to punch her!

But I digress, a TV viewing party would be incomplete without some good food. I whipped up these vegan-friendly Sloppy Joes and they got thumbs up all around from my non-vegan friends. My friend, Rachel’s boyfriend, had three of them and he definitely isn’t vegan. I consider that a win!

Sloppy Chicks
from Keepin’ It Kind

the original recipe says it makes 4; we used average hot dog bugs and we got 7 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp olive oil
• ½ onion, diced
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ red bell pepper, diced
• 2 15oz cans of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 15oz can of fire roasted tomatoes, diced
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 2 T soy sauce
• 2 T Sriracha Sauce
• 1 T Maple Syrup
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 ½ tsp cumin
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp liquid smoke
• 1 T nutritional yeast (optional)
• salt/pepper to taste
• optional toppings: avocado or vegan cheese

• 4 vegan hamburger or hotdog buns; could also serve it on a baked potato or with lettuce in a wrap

Instructions:

• Pour the chickpeas into a bowl.  Use a fork to mash them until they are in small chunks/shreds.  I like to mash about half the chickpeas and keep half whole for texture. Set aside.

• Preheat the oven to it’s lowest temperature.  Open the buns (if you are using them) and place the halves, cut side up, on the center rack (or on a baking sheet).  Let them heat up for about 10-15 minutes.

• Heat the olive oil in a large shallow saucepan over medium heat for about one minute.  Add the onion and garlic and sauté until onions are translucent and garlic is fragrant.  Add the bell pepper and the chickpeas and sauté for about two minutes.  Add the rest of the ingredients and let it simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 10-15 minutes, until heated through and slightly thickened.  If it sticks, add a little water to scrape the pan and lower the heat a bit.

• Once the buns are warmed and the chickpea mixture is hot, scoop the mixture onto the buns.  Serve while hot.

I did spend Sunday eating brunch, working out and soaking up the sunshine so my landlord was not able to destroy my whole weekend. Can I just say, Sunday was beautiful here in Boston! If I could have  one wish, it may be that everyday is as beautiful as that day was.

So, any Game of Throne fans? Thoughts? I’m only on season 1 so don’t spoil anything but please, tell me I’m not the only one who wants to punch some of these characters in the face.