Friday Bits
If you’ve been reading my blog for a while now, you probably are aware of the fact that I am a sandwich lover. I think I’ve always kind of been a sandwich lover, but it wasn’t until I moved to NYC that I became a real sandwich lover. There are so many amazing sandwiches here, it’s mind blowing. Also, Billy is a sandwich kind of guy, and together we make quite a sandwich team. We’re particularly big bánh mì connoisseurs. At home we make the most all-American, simple sandwiches ever. But last night I was inspired by Tara’s photo of her jaw-dropping sandwich to think outside the turkey and cheese box. I thought about the most delicious sandwich I’ve ever eaten that I could actually make pretty easily. Ah yes, the Tempeh and Sweet Potato Sandwich at Candle Cafe. I’m not even vegan anymore and I will go out of my way to find an excuse to go to Candle Cafe for one of their sandwiches – my other absolute favorite being the Cajun Seitan Sandwich. If you’ve never been there before, you must. It’s all organic, vegan, and just a little fancy – perfect to stop by after a visit to The Whitney Museum.
Anyway, I decided to make my own version, sans the tempeh because that would require a trip to Whole Foods and nothing makes me slam my head against the wall more than an evening-rush trip to Whole Foods. Plus the tempeh is probably the least spectacular part of the sandwich, I think.
I’m not getting into detailed instructions and proportions – I’ll leave that for you to experiment with. The sandwich I made above was as big as my head and could have easily been split between two people with a salad or some chips on the side. Ohhh, maybe some kale chips with the extra kale you have? Why didn’t I think of that? Billy came home after class and inhaled my other half I couldn’t make it through. He raved about this sandwich, and he is not usually a non-meat sandwich raver.
Yamwich*
-mashed yams (I used just a tiny tiny bit of butter and milk so it wasn’t too dry, and blended them with my hand blender until they were nice and smooth)
-wilted kale (I steamed mine too long, that’s why it looks kind of sad above)
-caramelized onions (tip: after sauteing them til translucent, I cook them with a bit of mirin – sweet Japanese cooking wine. So good.)
-garlic aioli (lazy version: garlic and mayo in a food processor, totally did the trick)
-thick crusty bread, toasted
-no shame in getting sandwich all the hell over your face
*name courtesy of the stupendously clever Hannah.
(I have never typed the word “sandwich” so much before in my life.)
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
May 21st, 2010 at 2:51 pm
i love that you love sandwiches too. most girls are all salads and no sammies. you can’t make friends with salad.
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May 21st, 2010 at 3:45 pm
This looks awesome! Gotta try it :)
http://ladulcivida.blogspot.com/
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May 21st, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Yum!! This sandwich is right up my alley – sooo making it!
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May 21st, 2010 at 4:38 pm
Who doesn’t love sandwiches, right? It’s the perfect solution to any day.
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May 21st, 2010 at 4:59 pm
im sooo hungry now!!! this looks SO so SO good!
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May 21st, 2010 at 9:26 pm
AMAZING. i’m telling you, i need a yamwich in my life. some goat’s cheese would be yum in there too.
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May 21st, 2010 at 10:40 pm
mmm sammich. So dee-licious.
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May 22nd, 2010 at 1:54 am
Yum. It’s way too late at night for me to be hungry, but now I have a craving for this sandwich. **tummy growling**
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May 22nd, 2010 at 10:33 am
this looks SO good!! i have barely ever had kale before, but i want to get into it now.
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May 22nd, 2010 at 10:49 am
That looks so good! On thrusday my wife had a sandwhich that she declaired was the best sandwhich she’s had in years. I can’t remember the name of the spot, but it will likely end up on our blog. I’ll try to remember to pass on the name.
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May 22nd, 2010 at 2:55 pm
I LOVE Candle Cafe (and definitely Candle 79 — have you been there?). I haven’t tried the Tempeh & sweet potato sandwich, but I will definitely head over there asap. Yours looks absolutely delicious too.
And I totally agree with Casey: you can’t make friends with salad.
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May 23rd, 2010 at 1:38 pm
bless you for sharing this amazing sandwich! I recently lost my appetite almost completely due to some medical schtuff and that sandwich actually made me drool.
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May 23rd, 2010 at 1:47 pm
oh yummy yummy YUMMY. that mustve been sooo goooood
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May 23rd, 2010 at 3:07 pm
I heart sandwiches, too. Yams? Caramelized onions? Kale? Crusty bread? What could be better??!! I’m envisioning some thin pizza possibly with some Daiya cheese… you are a sandwich visionary! Thanks!
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May 23rd, 2010 at 5:17 pm
When we went to Italy on vacation waaay back in ’98, one of Amy C.’s goals was to find and eat The Perfect Sandwich. (She’d had it on a previous vacation and remembered only that it was in Pisa.) She literally went on that second vacation BECAUSE OF THE SANDWICH. Happily, after scouting around Pisa, she found it. When she did, she exclaimed, “This is it! This is The One!!” Here’s true friendship: she let Gimlin and me have one bite each, in order to share the fabulosity of the sandwich. And it was very fabulous indeed! Hence, I heartily approve of your sandwich ways, and might even try the Yamwich recipe, even though that would require working with ingredients. :)
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May 24th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
I tried this sandwich this weekend– SO GOOD. I swapped out the garlic aioli for goat cheese mixed with some garlic and dried basil, and it was so so good. We’re eating it again tonight, actually :)
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May 24th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
This looks amazing!!! Very imanginative!
xoxo
http://www.iplayinla.com
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May 25th, 2010 at 12:41 am
WHA……??????????
WHAT.
WHAT?????!!!!!!!
A FREAKING MASHED YAM SANDWICH?????
Oh, gurrrrlllll, you really speakin’ my language now!!!
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May 25th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
i made this puppy tonight.
it was incroyable.
i would never have thought of mashed potato in a sandy.
thanks.
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May 25th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
That looks unreal. What a delicious carb-tastic sandwich! I’d like to think of myself as quite a sandwich-connoisseur, too, and I am in awe. Can’t wait to try it out.
http://seejaneworkplaylive.blogspot.com/
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May 25th, 2010 at 11:38 pm
Hi! First I want to say that sandwich has made me soo hungry. I am a freak for sandwiches. I think they just might be the greatest food ever, seriously!
I enjoyed your “about” section and how you said you couldn’t really categorise your blog. I have a hard time compartmental*ising* myself or anything I do. It made me feel good to know I am not alone. Ok I’m rambling on here. One more thing. Bless you for rescuing your cat & sticking it out. Animals need a lot of time and love and patience and . . . . well you get where I’m going with this I’m sure.
Cheers!
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June 5th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
I had this for dinner and oh my goddddd. It was amazing. Thank you! x
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