MoFo 22: Sandwiches GALORE + a giveaway!

If you haven't heard the hype about "Vegan Sandwiches Save the Day" yet - you've had your head under a rock! It's definitely the hot new book of MoFo Season, and with good reason. VSSTD is the glorious creation by Tami (of Vegan Appetite) and Celine (of Have Cake Will Travel). I am a great fan of sandwiches, so I knew I had to have this book. As soon as it showed up at our local bookstore, I bought a copy and instantly I couldn't put it down. It's full of classics, new ideas, healthy sandwiches, super indulgent sandwiches, international recipes and down-home favorites.

When Tami & Celine asked me if I would be a part of their Blog Book Tour, I was totally delighted! This is a book I can really get excited about!

Here's what I've made so far:

(really each of these excellent creations deserves their very own blog post!)

The first thing I wanted to try was the Pav Bhaji sandwiches. I see these everywhere in India, but there they are always dripping with butter, so I've abstained. The last time I came home from India, I brought a little box of Pav Bhaji Masala (spice mix) with me ... and it finally came in handy making these delicious sandwiches. The filling is a lightly spiced mash of veggies cooked up with Indian seasonings, and served on a soft absorbent bread. It's a winning textural combination for sure. I did lighten the vegan butter a little (which I know is very unauthentic indeed!), but we're counting calories these days. I will definitely make them again!



Next up, I decided to try out the French Tofu Salad Sandwiches. I picked this because Mr. VE&T is a real francophile, in love with All Things French. Then, when he learned that there were going to be grapes and almonds on his sandwich, he became worried. Worry not! We both really loved this sandwich. The filling is light and delightful, with unexpected flavors and spices that meld perfectly. I will definitely make it again - either on its own or as a sandwich filling. Plus, it came together really quickly - you can get everything else ready while the tofus are sauteeing. Perfect for work nights!

So far our real favorites were the Tempeh Caesar Wraps. Holy Smokes! These babies were gooooood. I absolutely cannot wait to make these again, and luckily I've got a whole pack of tortillas in the fridge waiting to be filled with Caesary glory. Again, this was an uncomplicated recipe that came together quickly - but together the sum of its parts added up to something truly magnificent. Full of flavor without being overbearing. The bite of the tortillas and tempeh, with the fresh crunch of the greens, and the creamy tang of the dressing - all perfectly balanced together. We are both so in love with Tempeh Caesar Wraps that now we are considering an open relationship.

I wanted to try some of the many wonderful breakfast and sweetie sandwiches in the book too - and somehow I just couldn't stop thinking about these Plumtillas with Vanilla Dipping Sauce. Growing up in California, we had Mexican food all the time and quesadillas were always my #1++ comfort food. Still to this day, a tortilla can touch my heart in a special way. So the idea of cooked plums in a toasty tortilla is absolutely appealing to me. I loved this treat so much. The crispy tortilla with the soft fruit is just great. I made the vanilla sauce, which I really liked - but I think (out of sheer laziness) I'd probably just get a little cup of vanilla yogurt next time.

I know these aren't pictures of sandwiches, but I had to share them. I actually had a pluot (plum-apricot hybrid) and not a plum. On the left is before I cooked it, and on the right is after being cooked. So beautiful! I have a bunch more pluots and tortillas, so I foresee more of these Plumtillas/Plutotillas in my immediate future.

Last but not least - I made the Berry-Stuffed French Toast Pockets with Brioche Bread. HELLO. I love French Toast so much, and this is a gloriously decadent rendition of this weekend favorite. First, I had to make the Brioche bread a few days ahead of time (some to enjoy then, and some to get stale in time for our Sunday morning french toast treat!).

Celine and Tami say in the book that you need a stand mixer or a food processor with a dough hook to make this bread. I don't have either - but I was determined. Nothing could come between me and the idea of berry-stuffed french toast. In the end, I didn't get a great rise, but everything else about the bread was just perfect. I just used my hand like it was a stand mixer! Ha!

We really loved this french toast. We had it for a special Sunday breakfast together. I loved the fresh berries (I used strawberries) stuffed in the bread, and I loved cooking them on my panino press (genius idea, ladies!) for even browning on both sides. As you can see - lurking in the background - we had pears and oranges too. That makes it healthy, right? :)

 Also, a few more details about this book that I really love:

~ the recipes call for ingredients both by volume and weight (eg. 1/2 cup, or 50 grams). I really appreciated this.
~ recipes are beautifully laid out, one per page. Great clean layout with nice fonts, easy to read. Attractive and appealing.
~ loads of beautiful photos! Not every single recipe gets a picture, but a LOT of them do.

Wanna get your little paws on a copy of your own? Lucky you! Tami & Celine's publisher has offered to do a giveaway (for anyone in the U.S. or Canada. Sorry everyone else!). Just leave a comment here and tell me your favorite sandwich memory. Or what kind of sandwich you would eat right now. Or something sandwich related.

I'll pick a winner on Friday October 25