Portobello mushrooms lend that satisfying meaty texture. This sandwich is one of my absolute favorites. With the sweetness from the red bell pepper sauce, the savory pesto, and the tangy mushroom marinade, it’s the perfect blend of flavors sandwiched between rustic focaccia rolls. Portobello’s are also natural sources for vitamin D!
MARINADE
(yield: 3/4 cup)
Ingredients:
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tsp dried italian herbs or 1/4 cup fresh
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. salt
dash pepper
1 tsp. mustard, dijon or yellow
2-4 portobello mushrooms (there is enough marinade to cover 4)
Directions:
1. Whisk together all ingredients into a small bowl and emulsify. In a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish, place the portobello mushrooms and pour the marinade over. Cover and refrigerate mushrooms for 1 hour or more. After marinating, place into oven at 350 for 1/2 hour, or until mushroom is tender.
BELL PEPPER SAUCE
(yield: 1 cup)
Ingredients:
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup white onion
3 small cloves of garlic, minced
1 medium sized tomato, diced
salt and pepper to taste
4 Tbsp. of water
Directions:
1. Saute onion and bell pepper in sauté pan until soft. Add garlic and tomato and and sauté for another 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Place all ingredients into a blender along with 4 Tbsp. of water, and blend until smooth. Adjust salt and pepper as needed. Return to sauce pan and keep warm.
SANDWICH
(yield: 2-4 sandwiches)
You will need to prep or buy some pesto (see pesto post). You will also need some dark leafy greens and focaccia rolls. I like to use spinach. To add even more veggies, I will sauté some extra onions, red bell, zucchini, and yellow squash.
Ingredients:
2-4 focaccia rolls
pesto (pre-made or store bought)
1/2 red bell pepper
1/2 zucchini
1/2 yellow squash
1/2 cup onion
1 cup spinach leaves
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Toast focaccia rolls. Set aside. Sauté bell pepper, zucchini, yellow squash, onion. Season with salt and pepper .
2. Spread bell pepper sauce on one side of roll and pesto on the other. Fill sandwich with sautéed vegetable blend and place marinated mushroom inside along with spinach leaves.
GNOSHANDKNOTS 