Vegetarian Sandwiches

When I took this book from the shelf, I realized I hadn't had lunch, and I immediately rummaged through the local restaurants in my brain. Where could I get a sandwich like that pictured on the cover of this book?!

Prior to becoming a full-time chef to an appreciative husband and a picky 17-month old, I operated a small café in Boulder, Colorado arguably the vegetarian capitol of North America. We changed the menu each month, and I surely would have appreciated utilizing this book to help us create fresh and creative sandwich choices.

Ms. Mitchell has thoughtfully created sandwiches to please both the hearty and daintiest of appetites. Sandwiches are stacked on breads, into pockets, rolled into wraps, and piled high on crisp rolls. Ingredients range from not-so-standard vegetarian fare (although I couldn't find a mention of tofu!) to hearty cheeses and roasted vegetables. As one taster mentioned, while tucking roasted red peppers back into his mouth, "Can't think of a thing that meat would add to this sandwich!" I agree, and so will you.

The author opens her book with "Sandwich Basics", providing simple recipes for spreads and homemade soft cheeses. From there, the chapters move from finger sandwiches to abundant cold and warm sandwiches to non-traditional sandwiches. A chapter of suggested sandwich accompaniments is included, again thoughtful and imaginative, and is followed by a small dessert sandwich chapter.

Mouth-watering photography by Ondine Vierra provides the reader with a warm palette of colorful serving suggestions, but the most impressive element of this book is the compilation and organization of author's tips. Anyone who has ever had to pore over back issues of a cookbook or cooking magazine searching for a tip that wasn't best left to memory will appreciate the 100+ ingredient and method tips that have their own index here. I curled up with the book one night just to read these helpful hints!

Enjoy this "delicious" book, and don't miss the "Vegetarian Pan Bagnat", the "Italian Toasted Cheese Sandwiches", or the "Middle Eastern Pita Pockets". And now. for a sandwich!

 

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