Roasted `Caps with Sun-Dried Tomato Aioli
25 Fri, 2011 § 10 Comments
It is officially Spring, but she keeps dancing with Winter.
While I am starting to crave lighter & greener foods, I still want something I can sink my teeth into.
Can a dish be light & hearty simultaneously?
That doesn’t make sense, but maybe you know what I mean.
This open-face is just that meal.
It is also quite effortless.
Rub a couple portobell caps with olive oil & roast, round-side down, in the oven at 400*F for 8 – 10 minutes until soft. Toast a couple slices of artisan bread: ciabatta or focaccia would be nice; we used a delicious sea salt & rosemary loaf from a local bread bakery. Next come the greens. I topped my toast with radicchio [the mushroom & aioli mellowed the greens, which complemented the sandwich really well!]. Dave used a milder, winter green mix. Set your roasted cap on top of the greens & dust lightly with garlic powder [or rub garlic over your caps before roasting]. Dave melted a little French cheese over his cap [a cross between cheddar & parmesan]. Finally, top your cap with sun-dried tomato aioli.
Sun-Dried Tomato Aioli
[enough for 2 – 4 sandwiches]
Take ~12 sun-dried tomatoes & soak for 10 minutes if not already soft. If they were stored in oil, rinse & squeeze of excess water. Put in a food processor & chop well. Add ~3 big spoonfuls of Vegenaise & pulse until combined well & at desired consistency. Add 1/2 tsp dried oregano & a pinch of sea salt. Pulse again. Too easy! Adjust measurements according to your taste.
All that was missing on my sandwich were a couple slices of bacon avocado. If you can get your hands on one, do it. They are smooth & buttery; with just a little sea salt, they are heavenly over mochi waffles or toast. Alas, my avocado was not quite ripe.
On my side: asparagus from our CSA, roasted perfectly with olive oil & sea salt at 400*F for about 10 – 12 minutes, tossing often. Even Dave — the asparagus hater — said they turned out. Score!
Off to bed because I have to work bright & early. 😦 It’s for a good cause though. And it’s all fun & surprises after that!
Enjoy your weekend. 🙂
~
What are your Spring-Winter transition cravings?