the green monster // a sandwich

A sandwich can be a masterpiece. They don't ever have to be boring, they can be bright, beautiful and absolutely delicious.

This sandwich right here. This Sandwich is all those things and more.

The quality of ingredients and how you layer them can make or break your magnificent sandwich. For me, a perfect sandwich has elements of fresh, cooked, crunchy, savory, sweet and salty.

Portabella bacon covers the cooked with a bit of smokey savory goodness, the olives for salt, baby arugula + pea shoots for the bright crunch + freshness, the bread + avocado spread is your sweet.

Since making portabella bacon for my eggs bene last month, I have been hooked- it is my new fave ingredient when making sammies.

Smokey, salty, meaty goodness that is so easy to make.

I've been trying to once again, create more balance in every aspect of my life - long winters take a toll on me, I lose focus and kind of throw out my good ,well intentioned lifestyle + habits. On super cold , dark and dreary days it's easier to skip the gym, throw on my comfy clothes, eat fritos and bean dip while binge watching netflix. 

Once the clocks spring ahead, there is more day light making it easier to get to the gym, which in turn brings on a ton of  good energy, directly impacting my mood and how many hours I'm going to invest on the couch with netflix. I have made a better effort to move everyday and refocusing on fueling my body with less processed nourishing foods with room for a treat.

Of course, there's always room for Netflix , Fritos + Bean Dip and a beer or two - just once in awhile and not every other weekend.

This Sandwich is a meal all on its own- it doesn't leave you feeling heavy or weighed down, but at the same time it is super filling.

An Epic Sandwich in my book.

The Green Monster // a sandwich

makes 1 sandwich // easily doubled

you will need:

portabella bacon*

for the smokey portabella bacon:

2 small portabella caps // 1 large + sliced

Pinch apple wood smoked salt ( or sea salt)

drizzle olive oil

liquid smoke 1/8 tsp

Vegan Worcestershire sauce 1/2 tsp

maple syrup 1/2 tsp

for the avocado spread

1/2 mashed avocado 

1/4 tsp cumin

pinch salt

splash of  orange juice

2 slices of your favorite artisan seeded bread

3/4 cup (combined) pea shoots + arugula // greens

5 green olives // pitted + finely diced

1/4 cup  sliced roasted red + yellow peppers

assembly:

to make the bacon:

Heat a small pan over medium heat - add all ingredients to pan and cook for 5-8or so minutes, stirring + turning as needed until "bacon" begins to caramelize. Remove from pan and set aside. 

(you will want the portabellas to still maintain some plumpness/moisture)

to make the avocado spread

In a small bowl mash avocado, stir in cumin, salt + orange juice until nice + creamy in texture.

Spread avocado spread on one side of each piece of bread. On one slice of bread, top avocado with greens, top the other slice with diced olives. Layer smokey portabella bacon on top of the olives, then layer the red + yellow peppers on top of the smokey bacon. Place the slice of bread with the greens, facing down on top of the bacon, completing the sandwich.

enjoy!

*you can also use tempeh bacon or smoked sliced tofu.