food to glow

I’ve just seen some tweets – and delish pics – saying that it is British Sandwich Week, and I thought, “Hmm..I have just the thing to celebrate.” And indeed I do. Something sweet yet spicy, with plenty of satisfying vegetarian protein and fibre, and loaded with thinly sliced and, possibly – your call – vinegar-doused vegetables. Does that sound tempting?

I rarely, rarely eat sandwiches these days. Not that I am averse to carbs – not. at. all. But it is just that I often will have sourdough toast with poached eggs, smashed and herbed up avocado, or stir-fried greens for breakfast; porridge if it’s colder and I need an edible hug. So, a typical at-home lunch is often a soup with a crisp bread, some leftovers heated up, a grain and/or green salad. But almost never a sandwich.

However, sometimes a sandwich is just the very thing. Portable, easily handled (unless you are as naturally clumsy as me) and easily portioned with just the cleave of a knife.

I have had this idea kicking around for years. Yes, actual years. First of all, I liked the alliteration and the way it actually sounds when spoken. I would love to go up to a lunch counter and say the words, “Bang Bang Bagel, please. Extra sriracha. Hold the fries. No, I don’t want to ‘go large.’ “ Secondly, I just knew these flavours would click – the naturally sweet-savoury nut butter, buttery avocado, hot-tangy sriracha, lightly vinegared vegetables, smoky pan-fried tofu…

Why I didn’t immediately set to making it is one of life’s mysteries, but I rectified this deficit this very week. Even with stale bagels (I had bought them at the weekend) it made for a very lip-smacking repast. And Andrew had one the next day at work, the box coming back as if licked clean. And I got a verbal thumbs up, too.

This is more an idea elaborated so, if you fancy the sound of it, really just make it your own. Try tempeh or marinated tofu instead of the smoked tofu, whatever nut butter you like (or make your own), and any vegetables that you can slice thinly to get the sweetest flavour (it’s all about maximising the surface area to volume ratio  – just trust me on this one). Vinegar or no. Your call completely.

What is your favourite sandwich of all time? (Mine is grilled cheese and dill pickle! Nostalgic reasons)

More sandwich-type things on food to glow:

Grilled Shiitake Kimcheese (this is fab if you like kimchi like I do!)

Fig and Labneh (Soft Cheese) Tartines

And from friends:

Chickpea Salad Sandwich – the muffin myth

Masala Paneer, Roasted Pepper and Spinach Wrap – deena kakaya

Carrot, Hummus and Avocado Sandwich – tinned tomatoes

Falafel, Beetroot and Goats Cheese Wraps – tinned tomatoes

Green Goddess Sandwich – amuse your bouche