Thursday, April 28, 2011

Grilled Cheese and Tempeh Facon Sandwiches

Here is another twist on the grilled cheese sandwich. In the past I used Smart Bacon strips, and there's nothing wrong with them as an alternative to bacon. But, I'm trying to get away from processed/pre-made foods more and more, little by little, so I thought I'd just make a simple version of facon with tempeh. I will still use Smart Bacon and other meal-helpers in dishes, don't get me wrong - I'm not going to be hypocritical. But, for this sandwich, tempeh worked great, and I like knowing my family will reap the health benefits as well.


Grilled Cheese and Tempeh Facon Sandwiches with roasted veggies on the side


Easy sandwich preparation


Grilled Cheese and Tempeh Facon Sandwiches

Ingredients:

2 pkgs. of tempeh, cut into strips
2 tsp. of liquid smoke
1 Tbs. canola oil
Follow Your Heart vegan cheese, cheddar style, cut into strips
Vegan margarine
Good bread

Directions:

Heat the oil in a large skillet that has a lid (but don't use the lid yet) over medium heat. Put tempeh strips in a shallow bowl and sprinkle the liquid smoke over them. Toss the tempeh carefully with your hands to get the liquid smoke over as much of them as possible; you can massage it in gently. Fry the tempeh strips for several minutes until golden on both sides (do not use the lid here). Drain on paper towels to get any extra oil off. Put cheese slices on bread, and cover each slice with a strip of tempeh. Top with the other slice of bread. Spread margarine on the top slice of bread. Add about a tablespoon or so of margarine to the same skillet, and put in each sandwich unbuttered side down. Cover with lid and cook for five minutes over medium heat. Carefully flip each sandwich over with a large spatula, so the margarine side is down now. Cover with lid again, and cook for another five minutes. Serve while warm. Can be served with a hearty salad or lots of veggies on the side. Tasty. Feeds as many as you want, which is of course, five hungry vegans!

10 comments:

  1. This is one of those things that would be great if someone else made it for me, but if I made it for myself -- not so great.

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  2. I've never thought of putting tempeh on a grilled cheese! Oh, yum. I must try this!

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  3. S.V., Have Mr. S.V. make it for ya.

    Flower, Give it a try and let me know if you like it!

    Michelle, thank you. :-)

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  4. oh yum...I love this twist to the grilled cheese. :o)

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  5. Very good! And I agree with you, it is better to limit the processed ready made food and make your own from scratch!

    Have a good Sunday

    ciao
    Alessandra
    http://alessandra-veganblog.blogspot.com/

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  6. Thanks, Alessandra! I'm doing my best there. :-)

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  7. Your first paragraph is me, as well, every word of it. Except I can't remember if we've ever put a meat substitute on an actual grilled cheese sandwich, though. I do melt Daiya on practically every sandwich I ever eat, though...

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  8. OMG so yummy :) I made it tonight with a veggie soup (leek and potato). I added avocado slices and that made it fantastic! Thanks for posting :)

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