Although you might think a sandwich would be nothing without meat or cold cuts, you can easily prepare a delicious vegetarian sandwich without any meat. Best of all, vegetarian sandwiches tend to be healthier and more nutritious than sandwiches prepared with meat. Here are 6 things to add to your vegetarian sandwich:
1. Roasted Red Peppers
Roasted red peppers make a great sandwich addition because they pack a ton of flavor in every bite. The roasting process brings out an intense smoky and sweet flavor from the red peppers. Roasted red peppers are especially delicious on Italian-style sandwiches. Try pairing roasted red peppers with fresh mozzarella and a few sprigs of basil on a crusty, whole-grain bread. You might even forget you’re eating a vegetarian sandwich.
2. Hummus
Hummus is a great sandwich condiment because it’s flavorful and creamy, yet low calorie and nutritious. Hummus contains chickpeas, ground sesame tahini paste, olive oil, lemon juice and spices, which are blended until smooth. Hummus is a great alternative to mayonnaise or other fatty dressings. Hummus is a good source of iron, vitamin C, protein and dietary fiber. You won’t find any of these nutrients in many other sandwich condiments.
3. Baba Ghanoush
Baba ghanoush is a healthy dip made of mashed, roasted eggplant mixed with various spices. The roasting process greatly intensifies the flavor of the eggplant. Baba ghanoush is another great alternative to high calorie sandwich condiments or dressings.
4. Fresh Herbs
No other dressing or dried spice can come close to matching the flavor of fresh herbs. When they’re in season, fresh herbs are an easy way to jazz up any vegetarian sandwich. Some examples of fresh herbs include basil, rosemary and thyme. All of these choices would taste great on any vegetarian sandwich.
5. Alfalfa Sprouts
Alfalfa sprouts are a very nutritious sandwich condiment. Some of the nutrients found in alfalfa sprouts include magnesium, calcium, folic acid, zinc, phosphorus and manganese. In addition, alfalfa sprouts supply the full range of vitamins, making it the only plant to include vitamin A, B complex, C, E and K. Instead of filling up your sandwich with lettuce, you could fill it up with nutritious alfalfa sprouts to provide your body with the vitamins it needs.
6. Seitan
Seitan is a great vegetarian meat alternative. If you desire your vegetarian sandwich to have some of the toothsome texture you associate with cold cuts, seitan might be a good substitute. Seitan, or wheat gluten, is essentially pure protein and is low in fat and calories. You can prepare seitan at home or purchase it packed in water at the supermarket. If you thinly slice the seitan, you can create a product that closely resembles cold cuts in texture and flavor.
Even if you avoid meat or animal foods, you can still enjoy a delicious sandwich. It might take a little extra effort, but it’s quite possible to create a tasty yet nutritious vegetarian sandwich. Vegetarian sandwiches can make a filling meal while still being low in fat, calories and cholesterol.
