Mama's Broiled Tomato Sammie

INGREDIENTS:

* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
* 4 ripe tomatoes, sliced
* 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
* 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
* 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided
* 4 slices bread, lightly toasted

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to broil.
2. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the olive oil and vinegar. Marinate the tomatoes in the mixture, stirring occasionally.
3. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, parsley, oregano, black pepper and 4 teaspoons Parmesan cheese. Spread mixture on each slice of toasted bread. Place marinated tomatoes on 2 slices and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese.
4. Place on a baking sheet and broil for 5 minutes, or until cheese turns golden brown. Serve immediately, open faced or closed.

Veggie Muffin Sammies

INGREDIENTS:


* 4 English muffins, split and toasted or whole wheat pita
* 1 avocado, mashed
* 1 cup alfalfa sprouts
* 1 small tomato, chopped
* 1 small sweet onion, chopped
* 4 tablespoons Ranch-style salad dressing
* 4 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
* 1 cup shredded smoked Cheddar cheese


DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to broil.
2. Place each muffin open-faced on a cookie sheet. Spread each half with mashed avocado; place halves close together. Distributing ingredients evenly, cover each half with sprouts, tomatoes, onion, dressing, sesame seeds and cheese.
3. Place under broiler for about 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Optional: Black olives

The Best Veggie Sammie

INGREDIENTS:

* 2 thick slices whole wheat bread
* 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
* 6 slices cucumber
* 2 tablespoons alfalfa sprouts
* 1 teaspoon olive oil
* 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
* 1 tomato, sliced
* 1 leaf lettuce
* 1 ounce pepperoncini, sliced
* 1/2 avocado, mashed

DIRECTIONS:

1. Spread each slice of bread with 1 tablespoon cream cheese. On one slice of bread, arrange cucumber slices in a single layer. Cover with sprouts, then sprinkle with oil and vinegar. Layer tomato slices, lettuce, and pepperoncini. Spread other slice of bread with mashed avocado. Close sandwich and serve immediately.

California Grilled Veggie Sammie

INGREDIENTS:

* 1/4 cup mayonnaise
* 3 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1/8 cup olive oil
* 1 cup sliced red bell peppers
* 1 small zucchini, sliced
* 1 red onion, sliced
* 1 small yellow squash, sliced
* 2 (4-x6-inch) focaccia bread pieces, split horizontally
* 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

DIRECTIONS

1. In a bowl, mix the mayonnaise, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Set aside in the refrigerator.
2. Preheat the grill for high heat.
3. Brush vegetables with olive oil on each side. Brush grate with oil. Place bell peppers and zucchini closest to the middle of the grill, and set onion and squash pieces around them. Cook for about 3 minutes, turn, and cook for another 3 minutes. The peppers may take a bit longer. Remove from grill, and set aside.
4. Spread some of the mayonnaise mixture on the cut sides of the bread, and sprinkle each one with feta cheese. Place on the grill cheese side up, and cover with lid for 2 to 3 minutes. This will warm the bread, and slightly melt the cheese. Watch carefully so the bottoms don't burn. Remove from grill, and layer with the vegetables. Enjoy as open faced grilled sandwiches.

Greek-Style Veggie Burgers

Ingredients:

1/4 cup plain lowfat yogurt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, crushed
1 tablespoons sliced pitted ripe olives
1 tablespoon crumbled feta cheese
Freshly ground black pepper
2 meatless burger patties (about 2 1/2 oz. each)
4 tomato slices (about 1/4" thick each)
Sliced red onion
4 pitas

Directions:

MIX yogurt, cumin and oregano. Stir in olives and cheese and season to taste with black pepper. Or buy the Gyro cucumber sauce already made! I actually prefer doing this! You can pick it up at Sprouts.

COOK patties according to package directions in a little oil and garlic. (I like to season mine with seasoned salt, adobo and Worcestershire sauce) Slice the patties into strips when cooked.

DIVIDE tomatoes, patties and yogurt mixture in a pita. Top with red onion.

TIP: For extra flavor, use Kalamata olives instead of ripe olives.

Pioneer Woman's Favorite Sandwich

Ingredients:

Rye bread
Butter
Mayo
Red Onion
Whole Green Chilies
Sliced mild cheddar
Sliced Provolone
Dijon Mustard
Tomato


Directions:

First we are going to make the sauce. Mix 1 tablespoon of mayo with 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard. Mix it together and spread on both pieces of the bread thinly.

Slice a ripe tomato. Thinly slice a red onion. Place two slices of tomatoes on one side of the bread and two slices of cheddar on the other. On top of the tomato place several slices of red onion followed by two pieces of Provolone.

Open your can of chilies. (Or roast your own) Now lay one or two slices on your Provolone. Now put both slices together carefully. :)

Spread a ridiculous amount of butter on both sides. Don't miss a centimeter. Meanwhile heat a skillet over low heat.. When hot, add the sandwich and cook for about 5 minutes on one side and 2-3 minutes on the other or until browned. Slice it in half and enjoy!

"Chicken" Sammies

Ingredients:

Box of chicken patties from Morning star
Whole wheat buns
Provolone Cheese
Mayo
Lettuce
Tomato


Directions:

Cook "chicken" according to directions. Toast the buns and place "chicken" inside. Add cheese and toppings. Very easy, delicious and so much less fat than your regular chicken sandwich. Also awesome with avocado!

Egg salad sammies

Ingredients:

8 hard-cooked eggs, diced (cage free, por favor)
3/4 cup mayonnaise
chopped onions
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon mustard powder or 1 tablespoon of mustard
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon of paprika
1 teaspoon dill weed
8 slices wheat bread

Optional: Add avocado or diced tomatoes, yum!

Directions:

In a bowl, gently mix the eggs, mayonnaise, onion, salt, mustard powder, garlic powder, pepper, paprika and dill. Cover, and refrigerate till chilled, or overnight. To serve, spread equal amounts on 4 slices bread; top with remaining bread slices to make sandwiches.

Crockpot Sammies

INGREDIENTS:

1 package of Morning Star crumbles
1 packet of Lipton Onion Soup Mix
4 Ciabatta rolls
4 slices of Provolone cheese
1/2 green pepper, sliced thinly
1/2 small onion, sliced thinly
1 tablespoon of oil

Directions:

Place crumbles in crockpot. Add 2 -3 cups of water and onion soup mix. Cook on low for 4 hours to incorporate flavor. Saute onions and green peppers in oil 10 minutes before your crumbles are ready. Place opened Ciabatta rolls on baking pan, spoon crumble mixture on rolls. Top with Provolone cheese and sauteed veggies, then place in oven on high (broil) for 2 minutes or until browned.

Yummo! Enjoy! These were very good. I bet you can even make Philly Cheese Steaks with them, if you added cheese to the crumbles!

Homemade Black Bean Burgers

This one might be a little too spicy for the youngins.


INGREDIENTS:

* 1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
* 1/2 green bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces
* 1/2 onion, cut into wedges
* 3 cloves garlic, peeled
* 1 egg (ex-large)
* 1 tablespoon chili powder
* 1 tablespoon cumin
* 1 teaspoon Thai chili sauce or hot sauce
* 1/2 cup bread crumbs


DIRECTIONS:

1. If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and lightly oil a baking sheet.
2. In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.
3. In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Then stir into mashed beans.
4. In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin, and chili sauce.
5. Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties.
6. If grilling, place patties on foil, and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side.

Butter Bean Burgers

INGREDIENTS:

* 1 (15 ounce) can butter beans, drained
* red onion, chopped
* 1 tablespoon finely chopped jalapeño pepper
* 1/4 cup of Italian bread crumbs (might need to add more)
* 1 egg, beaten
* 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
* 1-2 cloves crushed garlic
* salt and pepper to taste
* 1/4 cup vegetable oil


DIRECTIONS:

1. In a medium bowl, mash butter beans. Mix in onion, jalapeño pepper, bread crumbs, egg, cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper. Divide into 4 equal parts, and shape into patties.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; use more or less oil to reach 1/4 inch in depth. Fry patties until golden, about 5 minutes on each side.


TIP: I like to put a thin layer of bread crumbs on the out side of the burger to make it crispier.

Chickpea Filling

This has the same consistency as tuna! You can make tuna melts or put it on your salads. The options are endless. :)



INGREDIENTS:

* 1 (19 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
* 1 stalk celery, chopped
* 1/2 onion, chopped
* 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
* salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:


1. Drain and rinse chickpeas. Pour chickpeas into a medium size mixing bowl and mash with a fork. Mix in celery, onion, mayonnaise (to taste), lemon juice, dill, salt and pepper to taste.

Eggplant and Pepper Parmesan Sammie

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 eggplant, seeded and cut lengthwise into 1/4 inch slices
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 French baguette
• 2 ounces soft goat cheese
• 1/4 cup tapenade (olive spread)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven broiler.
2. Place the eggplant and red bell pepper on a medium baking sheet, and season with salt and pepper. Broil 5 to 10 minutes, until tender and slightly browned.
3. Cut baguette in half lengthwise. Spread bottom half with goat cheese, followed by tapenade. Layer with eggplant and red pepper, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cover with top half of baguette. Cut into 4 pieces. Serve hot or cold.

Patty Melts

INGREDIENTS:

Morning star veggies burgers x4
Small Onion
4-5 tablespoons of butter
Adobo seasoning
Sliced bread
Sliced Cheese ( of your choice)

DIRECTIONS:


Put one tablespoon of butter in frying pan, thinly slice onions and put them in the pan and cooked till caramelized. Add the burgers seasoned with adobo. Brown in pan with onions.

Butter the bread on the outside of all the slices. Cook the sandwiches like you would grill cheese sammies but put onions and a slice of cheese on each side of the burger.

Super Sloppy Joes

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan
1 package of morning stat crumbles
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon of seasoning blend of your choice
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups tomato sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 crusty rolls, split, toasted, and lightly buttered

DIRECTIONS:


Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add oil and meat to the pan. Spread the "meat" around the pan and begin to break it up. Combine brown sugar and steak seasoning. Add sugar and spice mixture to the skillet and combine. When the "meat" has browned, add onion and red peppers to the skillet. Reduce heat to medium and cook onions, peppers, red wine vinegar and Worcestershire sauce with meat for 5 minutes. Add tomato sauce and paste to pan. Stir to combine. Reduce heat to simmer and cook Sloppy Joe mixture 5 minutes longer. Using a large spoon or ice cream scoop, pile sloppy meat onto toasted, buttered bun bottoms and cover with bun tops. Serve with your favorite sides. Have plenty of napkins on hand!