Veggie Reubens

Who doesn't love a good salad and sandwich every once in a while? But, sometimes vegetarian sandwiches can be a bit dull and redundant. Not this Portabello Reuben! Even the meat-lover in the house loved this sandwich. We paired it with a simple spinach salad topped with red onions, dried cranberries, and a honey-mustard vinaigrette. A simply perfect dinner.


Portabello Reuben (Moosewood Restaurant: New Classics, The Moosewood Collective)

Easy Russian Dressing:
1/4 cup diced tomato
1/3 cup prepared mayonnaise
1 Tbs. chopped scallions
1 tsp. prepared horseradish
1 tsp. cider vinegar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
dash of Tabasco sauce or other hot pepper sauce
1 tsp. tomato paste (optional)

Sandwich:
8 slices plain or toasted rye bread
4 sliced cooked portabellos [recipe below]
1 cup drained sauerkraut
1 1/2 cups grated Swiss cheese

1. Preheat oven to 400.
2. Combine all of the dressing ingredients in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth and creamy. Spread Russian Dressing on 4 slices of bread and place plain side down on a baking pan. Layer each slice with 1/4 of the portabello slices, 1/4 cup of the sauerkraut, and a generous 1/3 cup of the cheese.
3. Top each sandwich with a second slice of bread spread with dressing, and bake for about 4 minutes, until the cheese melts. Serve immediately.


Portabello Prep for Sandwiches

3 Tbs. olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
dash of salt and ground black pepper to taste
4 portabellos, rinsed and dried (about 8 oz.)

1. Preheat the oven to 400 or turn on the broiler.
2. Combine the oil, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and set aside.
3. Remove the stems from the portabellos and slice the caps into 1/2- to 3/4-inch-thick slices. Brush the portabello slices with the oil mixture and arrange at least 1 inch apart on a baking sheet.
4. To roast, bake on one side for 4 to 8 minutes, then turn with a spatula and bake for 4 to 8 minutes more, until tender and juicy. To broil, cook for 3 to 5 minutes, turn with a spatula, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on the other side.