VEGGIE SANDWICH

I have never been a big fan of your basic sandwich, meat, cheese and tomato never did it for me. Once I began to limit my meat consumption, I started to crave sandwiches. I think that they are so simple and ubiquitous that I felt a little left out by not eating them. Now you can get a veggie sandwich just about anywhere some good and some very very bad. I have had lovely and delicious veggie sandwiches but more often I get an oily, soggy mess of a sandwich that has little flavor or one with raw veggies that is like a salad and offers little sustenance. So I made my own and it turned out great.

Ingredients: for 2 sandwiches

4 slices sourdough bread
2 portobello mushroom caps
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette
pinch of oregano
salt & pepper
1 red pepper
sliced havarti
2 tablespoons mayonnaise (I used vegenaise)
1 teaspoon capers
siracha to taste
1 tomato

Directions:

1. Combine the olive oil, vinegar, oregano and a pinch of salt and pepper. Slice the portobello caps into .5 inch thick slices. Place the slices side by side in an oven safe dish and pour the vinaigrette over the mushrooms. Place under the broiler for 5-7 minutes. Turn the mushrooms over and broil for another 5-7 minutes until they are cooked.

2. While the mushrooms are cooking, roast the red pepper. My husband always does this part so here is a step by step guide to doing it yourself. Feel free to use jarred peppers, I just love the fresh taste of roasting my own. Slice the roasted pepper.

3. Combine the mayonnaise and capers, making sure to squish the capers to release their flavor. Add siracha, salt and pepper to taste. If you don't like spice, leave out the siracha.

4. Slice the tomatoes and cheese. Toast the bread.

5. Assemble the sandwich. Spread one piece of bread with the mayonnaise mixture. On the other piece of bread, place a layer of mushrooms, then roasted red pepper, then tomatoes and lastly cheese. Put this piece of bread under the broiler to melt the cheese and then enjoy!

**Image via Whole Foods**