ARCHIVE: Vegetarian Hero Sandwiches

Vegetarian Hero SandwichesMay, 2005Serves 6 / Tailor-made for a summertime hike, these sandwiches are easy to prepare, satisfying to eat, and easily portable. Keep well chilled until you’re ready to leave. For variation, add a few slices of deli turkey.1 24-inch whole-wheat or plain baguette4 ounces skim mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced1 ripe avocado, thinly sliced1 teaspoon lemon juice2 large ripe tomatoes, sliced1/2 cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced2 large radishes, thinly slicedA handful of fresh baby spinach leavesA handful of fresh alfalfa sproutsVinaigrette1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice2 cloves garlic, minced1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh basil1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper1. To make vinaigrette, place all ingredients in a jar and shake well.2. Cut bread in half lengthwise. Pull out half of the interior on one of the bread halves, forming a hollow. Place mozzarella in the hollow. Toss sliced avocado with lemon juice, then layer avocado, tomato, cucumber, red bell pepper, and radishes on top of cheese. Top with spinach and sprouts. Drizzle 3–4 tablespoons vinaigrette over vegetables and top with remaining bread half. Slice into six sections. Wrap each section in foil and keep chilled.PER SERVING: 490 cal, 24% fat cal, 13g fat, 4g sat fat, 10mg chol, 18g protein, 77g carb, 8g fiber, 756mg sodium