peta2's Sandwich of the Week: Faux Meatball Sub! November 12, 2009

Posted by Cody Ammerman at November 12, 2009 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 5 ) | TrackBack

The past few weeks we've shared quite a few tasty sandwiches with you, and this week I want to share one of my favorites with you. When I've helped out the peta2 Road Warriors with outreach on concert tours one of the most common things I hear is "I LOVE meat". Well, me too! Vegan meat, that is—zing! To all of those that are still consuming flesh, stop being wimps and try this out! Here is your opportunity to try something new, and I'm going to explain how to make one helluva easy faux meatball sub!

Here's what you need:
-Lightlife's Gimme Lean Ground Sausage (you will find this in most grocery stores, and of course health food stores.)
-Pizza/marinara sauce (cheap store brands usually work.)
-Bread (minus eggs and dairy.)
-Vegan cheese (I prefer Daiya, but the vegan cheese is optional.)

Here's what to do:
-Get some of the sausage out of the tube, and start making some meatballs. Make them as big as you want, and add any seasoning that you fancy.
-Have a non-stick pan ready with a little oil, and have the heat at med-low.
-With tongs, place the meatballs in the pan carefully.
-Move them around every minute or so, and you'll know they're done once each side is brown.
-While those are wrapping up, in a separate pan warm up your sauce. I usually have the heat on low for a couple of minutes and in about five minutes it's nice and warm.
-Once the sausage is done, welcome them with a paper towel or something to wipe off some of the oil.
-Place the meatballs on the bread (toasted if you would like), and follow that up with some sauce. If you want the vegan cheese on top, slap some right on top!
-Chow down!



Enjoy this classic sub, and let me know if y'all tried it out!

peta2's Sandwich of the Week: Breakfast Sandwich November 5, 2009

Posted by Marta at November 5, 2009 11:02 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 7 ) | TrackBack

We have seen some amazing sandwiches but something is missing. The most important meal of the day needs a sandwich and peta2 D.C. is up for the challenge. So I enlisted the help of our lovely interns to make and taste test our sandwich.

Here it is the easy Mexican Fauxwich recipe (Faux as in fake eggs).


Ingredients:

-Vegan English muffins (read the package; you don't want any eggs or dairy)
-Fantastic Brand Tofu Scramble (available at many grocery stores and health food stores)
-14 oz package of extra firm tofu
-Salsa
-Guacamole


Steps:
1) Open the tofu package and drain the water
2) Cut the tofu into half inch cubes (be careful with sharp and pointy things, please)
3) Place tofu cubes in a large bowl; add the seasoning packet and a tablespoon of oil
4) Stir and smash large chunks with a fork
5) Heat the tofu mixture in a pan for about 3 minutes stirring occasionally
6) Slice and toast the English muffins
7) Put some scramble on a toasted English muffin and top with salsa and guacamole
8) Share with friends!


Now you can spice your breakfast sandwich up anyway you like; maybe some spicy peppers or vegan cheese.

How would you top off your Mexican Fauxwich?

Smiles!
-Regina

peta2's Sandwich of the Week: Peanut Apple Butter Goodness! October 29, 2009

Posted by Pulin Modi at October 29, 2009 1:30 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 5 ) | TrackBack

Nope. Neither "apple butter" nor "peanut butter" actually have "butter" made from any animals in them. (In case you were wondering.)

So now that that's out of the way, check out one of Jason's favorite sandwiches to bring for lunch!

All you need is three things: bread, apple butter, and peanut butter! It doesn't matter what brand or variety you use—we're happy as long as you're eating yummy vegan food! Each of these things should be easily available at your local grocery store!

The sandwich you see uses two slices of pumpernickel bread (hint: try toasting the bread!). Then you just need to spread some apple butter on one slice and lots of creamy peanut butter on the other. That's all! You're all set!

I don't know why I never thought of such an easy alternative to peanut butter and jelly, but that's the point of these "sandwich of the week" blogs! We want to give you easy vegan foods to bring to school or work for lunch! Or if you're lazy, you can eat 'em for dinner ... ha!

What do you think ... does this sandwich sound amazing or gross? Will you be making one sometime soon?

Sandwich of the Week: 'Don't be a Chump' Chickpea Sandwich October 22, 2009

Posted by Marta at October 22, 2009 10:27 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBack

I know we've shared many delicious sandwiches with you over the past several weeks, and it's my turn this week! While there are tons of awesome "faux" products out there these days like faux meats, soy cheeses, and vegan mayo (and I fully recommend you try them), I decided to make things even easier on you this week by keeping the "faux" out.

Of course, I couldn't resist sharing a recipe with you from PETA's Vegan College Cookbook, so if you're a lover of chickpeas (AKA garbanzo beans), like me, then keep reading!

I bring you the 'Don't be a Chump' Chickpea Sandwich:

Yum! Here's how to make it:

• 1/2 (15 ounce) can of chickpeas, drained and mashed with a fork
• Italian dressing, to taste
• 2 slices bread (I used multigrain and toasted them for a little extra pizzazz)
• 1/4 cup shredded carrots
• 4 cherry tomatoes, halved (I decided to get a little crazy and use grape tomatoes! I know, I need to calm down.)

Mix the chickpeas with some Italian dressing and spread on one slice of bread. Top with the shredded carrots, the tomatoes, and add the other slice of bread.

Makes 1 serving

Some tips: You can stop by a salad bar and grab some shredded carrots and tomatoes if you don't want to buy whole containers of either, and feel free to tweak the sandwich to your personal preferences. I like to see it as a jumping off point. Love avocado? Toss some of that green goodness in there! Hate chickpeas? Experiment with another bean. And if you suck at bean mashin', try using a blender or food processor (though it will have more of a hummus texture—but that's never a bad thing!).

Hope you enjoy it!

peta2's Sandwich of the Week: Faux Turkey Melts! October 15, 2009

Posted by Ryan at October 15, 2009 9:59 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 8 ) | TrackBack

I know, you've seen some pretty good-looking sandwiches so far in this series (plus one entry about veggie dogs), but as the expression goes, "you ain't seen nothin' yet."

Behold, the faux turkey melt sandwich ...

The best part about it? It's idiot-proof. There is no conceivable way to mess it up, and all of the ingredients will only cost you around 10 bucks (and you'll have leftovers!)

Ingredients:

- 2 slices bread
- 1/2 Tbsp. vegan mayo (check your local health food store)
- 4 slices vegan turkey (available at most grocery stores)
- 1/4 avocado, sliced
- 2 Tbsp. shredded vegan Monterey jack cheese (also at the health food store)

Steps:

1) Spread the vegan mayo on one slice of bread.
2) Add the turkey slices, avocado, and the cheese.
3) Place both the dressed bread and the plain bread under a broiler or in a toaster oven until the cheese begins to melt and the bread toasts.
4) Remove from the oven, close the sandwich.
5) Make fun of friends not enjoying this sandwich.

Unbeatable. Unstoppable. Unbelievable.

peta2's Sandwich of the Week: Veggie Dogs October 8, 2009

Posted by Pulin Modi at October 8, 2009 4:01 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 11 ) | TrackBack

Listen, I know that veggie dogs aren't really considered "sandwiches," but it's something in between bread, so I think it fits the definition closely enough to make this a sandwich of the week!

So anyway, if you're wondering what to eat and interested in a simple, protein-packed meal why not bring some veggie dogs for lunch?

You probably don't need a recipe or instructions, but to humor you I'll include some anyway ...

Step 1. Buy veggie dogs and bread.
Step 2. The morning before you go to school, cook the veggie dogs according to the instructions on the package. I'm lazy so I microwave them. You might care to boil them or use a fancy pan or indoor grill. Whatever makes you happy, you know?
Step 3. Put the veggie dogs in the buns.
Step 4. Wrap the veggie dogs and buns in aluminum foil. They'll stay warm and fit perfectly in your lunch bag.
Step 5. Go to school and eat! Remember to recycle the foil!

As I mentioned, I can get pretty lazy, so I just swiped some bbq sauce, mustard, and ketchup from the fridge at work for lunch today, but you can mix it up with Chili 'Dogs' or whatever else makes you happy.

It's seriously such a great alternative to the old standard of PB&J, so give it a try for lunch sometime soon. And bring an extra for a friend to try, will ya?

Does that sound easy enough? What's your favorite topping for veggie dogs?

peta2's Sandwich of the Week: No Chicken Salad Sandwich October 1, 2009

Posted by Pulin Modi at October 1, 2009 1:49 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 14 ) | TrackBack

Hey everyone! Jackie here—you probably e-mail with me, and I'm sure you definitely want to know what kind of food I like to eat (right?!). Well, you're in luck! It's my turn to share one of my favorite sandwiches.

It's the No-Chicken Salad Sandwich! It's super easy and tastes amazing. In fact, your friends and family won't even be able to tell that it's vegan! Most of the ingredients can be found at your local grocery store. Eggless mayo and Morningstar Farm products are even popping up at more and more grocery stores now, and you'll definitely be able to find them at your local health food store!

Here's what you need:

-Morningstar Farms Chik'n strips
-Eggless mayo (Vegenaise is by far the best, regardless of what anyone else tells you!)
-Sugar, salt, and pepper to taste
-Any chopped vegetables and extras your little veggie heart desires! (I used apple, raisins, and green onions and it was amazingly fantastic!)
-Bread of your choice (I used a whole wheat ciabatta roll that I found at the grocery store that just happened to be vegan!)

And here's what you gotta do:

-Thaw the "chicken" strips and tear into smaller pieces.
-Add any chopped veggies or extras that you are using.
-Then stir as much eggless mayo as you'd like.
-Add sugar, salt, and pepper to taste and pile high onto your bread.

So easy!



Hope you enjoy!

Let me know what you think below!

-Jackie

peta2's Sandwich of the Week: Round 2! September 24, 2009

Posted by Cody Ammerman at September 24, 2009 11:37 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBack

Howdy ladies and gents! Last week Rachel introduced you to one of her favorite sandwiches, and this week it's my turn. Since I grew in a small town in Indiana I like to keep things pretty simple, and this sandwich is pretty much the definition of simple. I want to introduce you to my BLATMmm!

What does BLATMmm stand for you ask? Well, it's faux bacon, lettuce, avocado, tomato, and vegan mozzarella. It's pretty easy to find all of the necessary ingredients for this masterpiece, and it's pretty affordable! Last night I went to my local health food store to pick up some of Lightlife's Smart Bacon and Tofutti's soy mozzarella, but I've noticed that these products are starting to appear in larger super markets if you don't have a health food store near you. Here are some steps of how to prepare such a simple meal:

-Wash the tomato, and cut into slices. I personally like them not too thick, but not too thin.
-Cut the avocado in half.
-Warm up the stove to medium-high heat (or follow the heating instructions on the faux bacon package), and when ready toss the strips onto a skillet for a couple of minutes.
-Toast your favorite kind of bread. I'm a fan of wheat bread and I like it lightly toasted.
-Once the bread is toasted, I like to place a slice of vegan cheese on both pieces of bread. On the bottom piece I put down the avocado on top of the soy cheese, lettuce, and tomato. When the faux bacon is ready, toss the strips on top of the tomato(es)!

That's pretty much it! Since Wednesday nights are usually my movie nights, I invited my friend chocolate soy milk to the party and we enjoyed a flick. Y'all keep up the great work, and keep getting those petitions signed for more veg options at your schools (don't forget to sign up and join the Street Team to get the points)! Let us know if you make this, and shoot any ideas you have for another sandwich to peta2@peta2.com!

Introducing: peta2 Sandwich of the Week! September 17, 2009

Posted by Rachel-O at September 17, 2009 9:20 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 6 ) | TrackBack

Let me set the scene: Your school's vegan options suck—between french fries, iceberg lettuce and potato chips, you're getting a little fed up. You're gathering petitions to get more veg options, and talking to your lunch ladies about serving up some real food, but that's all taking a bit of time. What can you do for lunch right now?

peta2's got you covered. Every week we're going to be comin' up with something creative, but easy to put together, find ingredients for, and obviously easy to eat, for you to bring to lunch! These should make for happy stomachs, and good outreach because while your corpse munching friends are digging into their mystery meat, you'll have food that was tested out by vegan food experts. Trust us—we know vegan food!

I'm starting the blog out with some of my favorite things thrown together:

• Tofurky (any variety will do—I love original, and the new "cranberry and stuffing," pictured here!).
• Sesame tahini hummus—OK, if you haven't had hummus yet, and you're veg, get to it! Hummus can go on pretty much anything and make it amazing. Example? This sandwich. It can be a main dish, a side dish, a dip, or a spread. It's essential!
• Mustard, lettuce, sprouts, bread—these are self explanatory. I love mustard, in fact, some have said I have a small obsession. And I love sprouts. If you don't, leave 'em off! Vegan mayo is also an acceptable condiment for this (again, if you don't have vegan mayo in your life, WTF?).

So where do you get this stuff? Cody and I took a quick trip to Trader Joe's last night, but you can find this stuff at any small (or large) health food store in your area. Obviously, sprouts, lettuce, and mustard can be found at any grocery store—and chances are, you already have most of those in the fridge. Tofurky is great because it's super cheap, and is my favorite faux meat of all time—and it's got some pretty fierce competition. You can usually find Tofurky slices and hummus in stores for less than $5 each—so whether you're spending your own money, or asking your parents to shell it out for you, it shouldn't be too big of a deal.


No picture of food would be complete without my cat Lily Monster trying to eat it! :)

Let us know if you try this and love it! And feel free to send us suggestions at peta2@peta2.com—if there's something you'd like us to try out, or a sandwich you love to make, let us know!