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    Home » This and That » Olive Tapenade Tempeh Vegan Sandwich. Lunch.

    by Kathy Patalsky · updated: Mar 14, 2020 · published: Feb 24, 2010 · About 4 minutes to read this article. 4 Comments

    Olive Tapenade Tempeh Vegan Sandwich. Lunch.

    Dear Critics, if you think you’ll end up hungry eating vegan food, you’re wrong. My noble Olive Tapenade Tempeh Veg Sandwich is exhibit A of that verdict. Let your watering mouth be the judge. This swanky sandwich, aka my humble lunch, is quite a vision of sandwich beauty if I do say so myself. Let my sandwich-boasting continue, and get the recipe…

    Not All Looks. Yes she’s a pretty sandwich, but what about the taste? Vegan sandwich ecstasy. Aka, yum. The flavors: salty smooth kalamata olive tapenade mingling with the zippy sweet flavor of maple-soaked tempeh, layered on a bed of fresh perky green baby spinach leaves, a few rounds of fresh tomato and sweet onion to top it off. And a skinny slathering of Vegenaise inside the top slice. Tons of fresh black pepper grated throughout. And the critics say vegans don’t eat lavishly…

    Tempeh Two Ways. There are two ways to prepare the tempeh, I actually used the fast way and it was delicious! Two Ways: 1. Traditional Method – saute it on your stove top as the recipe calls for. This process will take a good 5 minutes. OR 2. Fast Method – simply place the tempeh in a shallow glass container, soak in the tempeh marinade, cover, vent and microwave on high for 90 seconds. That yummy-bitter-hearty tempeh taste will still shine through and you’ll be eating in a flash. *yes, the sauteed tempeh has a much better texture and a bit better taste, but if you are in a hurry, the microwaved version is tasty.*

    Tapenade. You can make your own tapenade – which I prefer, or you can buy a good vegan olive tapenade at your fave gourmet store. Up to you! You can even substitute a different flavor of tapenade if you aren’t into the olive thing. The green, sweet potato or mushroom dips featured here would work. Sunny Asparagus tapenade would be yummy too.

    Olive Tapenade ‘n Tempeh Vegan Sandwich.
    vegan, serves one hungry or two timid sandwich eaters

    2 long slices grain bread
    *spelt, whole wheat, sprouted grain are my faves
    2 Tbsp olive tapenade
    1 Tbsp Vegenaise
    2 slices EZ Maple Tempeh
    3 tomato slices
    3 sweet onion slices
    big handful of baby spinach
    fresh black pepper

    EZ Maple Tempeh
    2 slices of tempeh, thinly sliced, about 4 oz.
    1 1/2 Tbsp maple syrup
    2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
    *grade B maple syrup pref’d
    1 tsp olive oil for saute pan
    pepper

    Kalamata Olive Tapenade
    *modified version of Pure Olive Tap recipe here

    1 cup kalamata olives, pitted
    1/4 cup white beans
    1 Tbsp EVOO
    1 tbsp water
    handful fresh parsley
    pepper
    *Blend in a food processor. Makes about 1 cup of tapenade

    Directions:

    1. Prep your veggies: wash n slice tomato and onion. Set aside. Gather all ingredients.

    3. Tempeh: Slice your tempeh into two thin blocks -each about the surface size of a deck of cards. (I used about 1/2 of an 8 oz. package of tempeh. Soak your tempeh in the maple syrup and vinegar. Dash some pepper on top. Next, either lightly saute your tempeh stove top, or use the super-fast method and simply microwave for 90 seconds in a covered, glass container. Drizzle the EVOO on top if microwaving. Stove top, should be about 2 minutes on each side over high heat.

    4. Start building your sandwich: olive tapenade on both sides of the bread. A light smear of Vegenaise on one side. Then add the baby spinach, tomato, onion, tempeh and a good grinding of black pepper.

    5. Slice. Eat. Smile. Bask in the glow of envy from sandwich-onlookers. *Pickle Optional. Wash it down with some lemon iced tea, perhaps.






    « Dill White Bean Soup. Sweet Potato Biscuits.
    Cucumber Mint Tea Sandwiches. Tea Party! »

    About Kathy Patalsky

    Hey there! I'm Kathy, lover of kitty cats, weekend baking, 90's movies, travel, beach fog and foamy lattes. Since 2007, I have been sharing my vegan recipes and photos. My goal is to make your cooking life a little easier, delicious - and plant-loaded - while sharing some LIFE and conversation along the way.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. dreaminitvegan says

      February 26, 2010 at 4:44 pm

      Olive tapenade and tempeh, this looks very delicious! I love sandwiches!

      Reply
    2. Kathy says

      February 25, 2010 at 6:27 pm

      A, this was just a basic grain and seed bread. I love using a bakery-fresh spelt loaf. I love Le Pain Quotidien's spelt loaf bread for sandwiches – they will even slice it in store for you. Rye bread is yummy too. I also love keeping a loaf of sprouted grain bread in my freezer – simply pop a few slices out, toast and they taste crisp, nutty and delicious. Complete protein sprouted bread is my favorite. Trader Joe's has a nice version – as well ad Ezekial and alvarado street bakery.

      Reply
    3. Anonymous says

      February 25, 2010 at 3:17 pm

      What kind of bread did you use? It looks great!

      Reply
    4. Anonymous says

      February 25, 2010 at 3:16 pm

      This sandwich looks mouth watering and absolutely satisfying. Thanks for sharing!!

      Reply

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