This sandwich. Is. So. Good. I can’t even begin to tell you how obsessed Ben and I are with this deliciousness right now. We’ve eaten like 4 of these in the past 2 days. It’s getting to be a problem. But do we plan on stopping? No way! It’s crunchy, juicy, a little bit spicy and just flat out DELICIOUS!
This sandwich was just born yesterday. Ben and I were discussing how we wanted to eat more vegetables like we used to – so I took what we had in the fridge and made this sandwich!
When it comes to what I wanted to name this gloriousness, I considered: Rainbow Veggie Sandwich, Rainbow Sandwich, Cream Cheese Vegetarian Goodness Sandwich…the list goes on. Ben finally helped me decide on what it is today: California Dreamin’ Veggie Sandwich. It just screams beach weather to me – not to mention it has a lot of components of the classic California style sandwich. The name was just meant to be!
I love the texture and crunch of the raw veggies. The bell pepper makes it so crunchy the red onion is a little bit spicy, the tomato is so juicy, the avocado is creamy and the spinach acts as a kind of way of holding it all together.
Oh, but the part that absolutely takes the sandwich to the NEXT LEVEL?! Homemade scallion cream cheese. Oh yes. It’s the easiest, most simple elevation tactic you will ever apply to a sandwich again. Amen.
Here’s how ya do it:
Get some regular cream cheese, cut up some scallions and you mix them together! Crack some pepper in there and you’re golden. I schmeared it on BOTH sides of the toasted bread before I smashed that sandwich together and devoured it.
I figure all of the vegetables probably somehow cancel out the cream cheese, anyway. #logic
Ben and I have been having this for lunch a lot – but another way you could elevate it would be making this a breakfast sandwich! Maybe add on some bacon and a fried egg. Oh man, would that be good! I better keep that in mind for tomorrow’s breakfast…
Side note: does anyone go to bed excited to get up and eat breakfast in the morning? Just me? K. Back to regular programming…
OH! And I meant to tell you what kind of bread I’m using in this recipe. It’s Jalapeño Cheddar Bread fresh from the bakery at my favorite grocery store! I never usually buy it due to the price – but I had a coupon to get a half loaf for .49 cents. Oh yes. Mama knows how to bargain shop!
Any bread will work though! I bet it’d be SO great on an Everything Bagel. Okay, I’m making myself hungry again…
Is it bad to eat the same thing for like, 3 meals in a row?
Y’all better take my advice and go make this one! Happy California Dreamin’! Xo.
California Dreamin' Veggie Sandwich
Ingredients
- 4 slices bread
- 1/2 orange bell pepper
- 1/4 red onion
- 1/2 cup spinach
- 1/2 avocado
- 1 roma tomato
- salt and pepper to taste
Homemade Scallion Cream Cheese
- 2 oz regular cream cheese
- 2 stalks green onions (scallions)
- crack of fresh pepper
Instructions
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Begin by toasting your bread. While toasting, make your scallion cream cheese by mixing the scallions in with the softened cream cheese. Add a fresh crack of pepper.
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Slice the bell pepper, onion, tomato and avocado in long, thin slices.
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When your bread is toasted, add a generous amount of the cream cheese on both sides. Assemble your sandwich by putting the spinach and avocado on one side. Fill the other side with bell pepper, onion and tomato. Add salt and pepper to taste. Smash them together and enjoy!
Can’t wait to make this! 😀
Yay! Hope you enjoy it, Steph!
Will you make this again please? If you do I will love you until I die.