Thursday, April 29, 2010

Toasted Joes

I saw a recipe for Toasted Joes years and years ago and decided to try my hand recently at making my own in a veganized version.  I couldn't remember the original recipe, so the seasonings are my own touch.   I have no idea why they're called Toasted Joes, but I also have another dish called Joe's Special that my father and I used to make on long bicycle trips. I'll post that one someday, too. Could it be the same Joe? I have no idea. And, let's not forget the classic Sloppy Joes. So many Joes, so little time. But, without further wait, let's explore the Toasted version of Mr. Joe. These were pretty good, and I'm definitely adding them into my menu rotation. They could also double as a lunch on a Saturday afternoon, I think.


Toasted Joes

Ingredients:

6 English muffins, separated into their halves
1 pkg. of vegan sour cream (we used the Tofutti brand)
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
4 cups fresh spinach leaves
2 cups mushrooms, halved and sliced

Directions:

Toast the muffins, and place on a large platter or cookie sheet. In a medium pot add the rest of the ingredients. Cook over medium heat, until the spinach wilts and the mushrooms are tender. You may need to turn the heat down to medium low, if the sour cream is boiling too high. With a slotted spoon, spoon the topping over the muffin halves. You will have plenty of sauce leftover, which is surprisingly delicious, to drizzle over the top. If you eat it right away, it can be finger food; however, if you wait a few minutes, I recommend fork and knife. If you choose, you can bake them at 350 degrees for 15 minutes to get them even toastier. Both ways taste very good. Feeds five hungry vegans.

14 comments:

  1. I think this recipe would feed one hungry vegan - ME!

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  2. Oh, S.V., if you could honestly hear how I chuckle when I read your comments - you have no idea! You make me laugh and bring a smile to my face. Thanks for coming by. :)

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  3. S.V., I made a slight change in the cooking directions, so if you are going to try this, use the updated version. Thanks!

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  4. Well this seriously appeals to the little girl in me for some reason! Perhaps it is becasue the sour cream is the gravy, I do not know, but I want some right now!!! LOL

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  5. This sounds delicious! I have never heard of these before before. Nice find. Thanks for sharing! :-)

    Alicia

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  6. You give us things to ponder about Joe...I've heard of him Sloppy, but never Toasted or Special...he's a busy guy! These look enticingly delicious. I'm sure the five hungry vegans quickly became five vegans with happy tummies.

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  7. Yummy ! I bet these would also work with hummus swapped out for the sour cream. As to the name Joe, I think it was something that began in either WW1 or WW2 . Sort of like creamed chipped beef on toast becoming SOS and an open faced pot roast sandwich becoming known as a blue plate special. And let's not even get into english foods !

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  8. Thanks ladies, for the comments! I forgot to add the optional baking in the instructions, so now that's added. Sheesh, I keep forgetting things!

    Brandi, for some reason the sour cream sauce was so good, I don't know why!

    Alicia, I've only seen them one time in a recipe book years ago, but I never forgot about them.

    Rose, That Joe sure gets around! And, yes, we all did have happy tummies. :)

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  9. Hmm, I.S.F., so Joe could mean Jolly Oval Eatery? Ha ha! I'm sure you could vary it with hummus, but then it might be Toasted I.S.F.s. :-)

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  10. Spinach and mushrooms, yum, yum! I like this Joe;)

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  11. I agree, Janet, you can't go wrong with that combo! :)

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  12. YUM. Spinach and mushroom is one of my favorite combos. And I'm a sucker for English muffins. MMMM.

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  13. And, haha! I didn't even read those last two comments. Funny stuff. It must be a true fact, then. Spinach and mushrooms: a winning combination.

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  14. Hey, thanks, Marja, for stopping by! Hopefully, people will start seeing your blog now. :) Thanks for the comments.

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