This Spicy Chipotle Tofu Sandwich is everything I crave a sandwich to be..
This Vegan Sandwich is stacked tall with colorful layers of freshly sliced, crisp veggies - tomatoes, sweet onions and crispy lettuce. It's leaking a drizzle of delicious spicy, savory, bold chipotle "secret sauce" - and there is a thick slice of tender, seasoned tofu to complete the tall tower of deliciousness. Toss a few sliced pickles on the side, maybe some crunchy Tings and a lemon iced tea and your healthy, vegan lunch is served.
If you've never stashed a stack of sauteed tofu in a sandwich, this is your calling to do so. And that creamy, spicy-sweet chipotle sauce makes everything cravable. Get the recipes..
Sandwich Love: The Bread. Good sandwich bread can make or break a sandwich. But it shouldn't be the star - it definitely plays a supporting role. Literally.
I'm not into wimpy sandwiches. So I need my bread to hold up. I like to cram as many toppings between those two slices of bread as I can. I need a hearty, sturdy bread - fluffy white stuff won't cut it. Plus, I like heartier grains for nutritional reasons as well.
I love a freshly baked spelt bread from the bakery (Le Pain Quotidien makes a killer spelt). Or a simple multi grain vegan pre-sliced bread from the store (as I used here). The bread doesn't have to be fancy.
I like to lightly toast my bread so it brings out the nutty grain flavor and tones the texture of the outer crust. Not too toasty though. Overly crispy bread can make for a uncomfortable bite.
Baguettes and thicker varieties of bread are delicious, but call too much attention to the bread, in my opinion. So my perfect slice for a sandwich is hearty enough to hold, but thin enough to get out of the way of all my toppings. If I am using a thick, crusty baguette or such as the bread I like to slather it with a heavy spread - like a homemade hummus. That can moisten the hearty bread and balance it out a bit. Enough about me, how about your bread selection?
..what other "sandwich musts" do you have. Bread? Toppings? Condiments? I love sharing sandwich secrets!
Spicy Smoky Chipotle Dressing
makes ½ cup (store in fridge, covered if some leftover)
¼ cup Vegenaise
1 chipotle pepper, carefully chipped (from a can of chipotle in adobo sauce)
2 teaspoon adobo sauce from chipotle can
1 tablespoon maple syrup
⅛ teaspoon liquid smoke (a few drops)
dash of pepper
Spicy Chipotle Tofu Sandwich
makes 1
2 slices multi grain sandwich bread
2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1-2 tablespoon Spicy Chipotle Dressing
2-4 planks of maple-tamari tofu (recipe here)
2 thick tomato slices
2 large sweet onion slices
hefty handful of crisp lettuce (romaine or iceberg)
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar/1 teaspoon olive oil
optional: avocado slices (I forgot to add mine!)
side: a few sliced pickles
toothpicks to secure sandwich while slicing.
To Make:
1. Saute your tofu as described in this Tamari-Maple Tofu recipe. Set aside. You can use 2-4 slices per sandwich - I used two for the photos, but later crammed another two into the sandwich when eaten and loved the quad of tofu.
2. Whip up your spicy chipotle sauce and place in fridge for at least ten minutes to chill. Be careful when handling the chipotle peppers. I actually try not to touch the pepper at all since they can be quite spicy. Pull one medium sized pepper from the can , slice/mash it and add the the sauce mixture. Cover can of remaining peppers and store in fridge.
3. Prep your veggies. I like to gently toss my veggie slices in vinegar and olive oil - 1 teaspoon each as shown in recipe.
4. Start assembling your sandwich! Dijon on one slice of bread, then a heavy handed slathering of the chipotle sauce on both slices of bread - a few strips of chipotle pepper in the sauce. Then add the veggies and tofu. Add top slice of bread - secure layers with a few toothpicks and slice. Remove toothpicks before serving.
