Monday, June 30, 2008

Roasted Eggplant and Spinach Muffuletta Sandwiches

I suck. I know it. I'm trying to get better. I think about blogging every single day, it's just finding the time or energy to actually do it... I do have lots of pictures, though, so hopefully I can get back into the swing of things.

Stupid weather again. It was so cold here for so long. I felt tortured! It seems like every single other person I know was saying that it's one of the hottest summers in years and Vancouver still had the heat on... in June. I know... it's ridiculous. Now it's hot as all get out. Most of us are doing our best to spend a ton of time outside to enjoy the warmth. And living in a city where most apartments don't have air conditioning... not exactly making you want to turn on the oven. I did make some cupcakes last night and even though I waited until later to make them, it still made my already hot apartment into something just short of hellfire. Looks like it's salads and quick meals for me for a while.

I'm trying to throw together some ideas for vegan picnic foods. Any ideas? The idea is to have stuff that omnis will like as well, so nothing with too much nooch. I'd also like to steer clear of things that need forks and spoons just to make the eating easier and so I don't have to realize we can't eat because I've forgotten utensils. That would be very like me to do.

eggplantMuffulettaSandwich_001

One thing that would be great is the Roasted Eggplant and Spinach Muffuletta Sandwich from Veganomicon. I've made these to take to work a few times and let me just say - yum! The recipe says to let the sandwiches sit overnight, but don't do that. You'll end up with soggy bread and then you'll be all grossed out and not want to eat it. The second time I made these I made all of the stuff for the sandwich the night before and just stuck it in the fridge. Then I made the sandwiches in the morning before I left for work. I think it was around 6 hours or so for the flavors to meld together. That was a perfect amount of time. Nothing was soggy and everything was delicious.

Also, that'll make a ton of tapenade so you have some left for dipping crackers or veggies in. I think it would also be a great appetizer type thing for a party. Well, for people that like olives, that is. And for the people that don't... well, more for me. :)

I used garlic stuff olives when I made it instead of buying green olives and pickled garlic. It was easier and faster and I discovered that not only do garlic stuffed olives give you very bad breath, they're quite yummy. I suggest you convince your signifigant other to like them too or else you're going to need to stock up on some mints.

13 comments:

  1. That sandwich is so pretty, it makes me want to eat eggplant! As for utensil-free picnic ideas, maybe tea sandwiches? You can eat them with one hand which is always nice. Or maybe fruit skewers? Is a skewer technically a utensil in this instance?

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  2. what an adorable sandwich!

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  3. This looks so delicious, and I don't even like eggplant. I think you've changed my mind!

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  4. the sammie looks glorious! and it's so pretty - i love it!

    hmmmm.....ideas for a picnic.....
    corn bread, cheezy "quackers" (they're so good), biscuits, "pigs" in a blanket, or maybe spring rolls stuffed with soba noodles, edamame, bell peppers, and bean sprouts would be good?!

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  5. A good idea for a picnic is wraps. Put a layer of washed and dried lettuce first then some vegan mayo and chopped cucumber, spinach leaves and guacamole. The lettuce should stop the wraps getting soggy.

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  6. That's a lovely picture, SaraJane, but while I do love tapenade I'm not so sure about eggplant.

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  7. Mmm, looks good! San Francisco is still cold, it's 55 right now!

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  8. Yummmmmm.......... I have been wanting to try that recipe forever.

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  9. Wow that sandwich looks spectacular!! I can't believe I miss that recipe ... oh well, it's bookmarked now :0)

    And ugh! I hate it when the weather is bad :0( They spoil your day ... hope it'll get better though!

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  10. Just found this blog and I love the recipes you have on. I am definitely going to try out this eggplant sandwich. Great blog!

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  11. oh, that does it - i am buying the Veganomicon now!
    i Love eggplant and i love garlic olives that are delicious and give you bad breath!
    lol

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  12. Your blog informations is a very useful.

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