Portobello Cheese "Steak" Sandwich

Oh man!  This Portobello Cheese "Steak" Sandwich is SO GOOD!  Just writing this post and looking at the pictures is making me crave it again.  I can't wait for the next time we enjoy this for dinner.  This is a wonderful alternative to a meat-based sandwich.  Even my non-vegetarian husband loved it.  The biggest amount of time is spent slicing the veggies, but the actual cooking and assembly is quite easy.  I love the colors, the cheesy deliciousness, the garlic mayo, and the addition of Sriracha puts this over the top for those of you who like spice.  My 4 year old actually downed the entire sandwich and the 20 month old gobbled down the filling.  This is a new house staple for sure!

Ingredients

1/2 C mayonaise

4 cloves garlic, crushed

2 Tbsp olive oil

4 large portobello mushrooms, gills removed and cut on an angle

1 red bell pepper, cut into strips

1 green bell pepper, cut into strips

1 large onion, cut into strips

salt and pepper, to taste

1 Tbsp flour

2 Tbsp soy sauce

4 hoagie rolls

4 provolone slices

Sriracha (optional, but recommended!)

 Directions

1. Combine the mayo and garlic in a small bowl.  Keep in the fridge until ready to use.
2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.  Add the mushrooms, bell peppers, and onions.  Allow to cook until the mushrooms release their moisture, about 10-15 minutes.  Add salt and pepper and stir.  Mix in flour.  Then add soy sauce and stir to combine.  
3. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees.
4. Prepare the sandwiches but first putting a layer of the garlic mayo inside the roll.  The fill it up with the mushrooms and veggies.  Top with provolone.  Heat in the oven until the cheese is melted and the buns just begin to brown on the edges.  Enjoy hot and topped with Sriracha if desired. 

This is an original recipe

Product Review - My Super Snack and GIVEAWAY!

Recently, I was approached by the lovely people at My Super Foods to see if I would like to try their snack product.  I have to admit, I was a little hesitant at first as my kids RARELY eat processed foods.  But as I learned more about them I became intrigued.  Their focus is on healthy, preservative-free, super-food-packed snacks for kids on the go.  Let's face it, sometimes a mom really needs a little help, so these are a great option to have on hand.  

One aspect that I loved the most was the fact that their ingredients are non-GMO.  That is one of the biggest reasons I so strongly limit my family's exposure to processed foods.  So the fact that there is a snack option that is non-GMO is a wonderful thing in my book.

Now it's time for the all-important taste test.  They come in three delicious flavors - Blueberry Banana Acai, Chocolate Chip, and Apple Raisin and are the perfect size for little ones.  My 4 year old tried all three and so did I.  I had to make sure the quality was good enough for my baby!  :)  She loved the chocolate one the best, but she loves everything chocolate.  I enjoyed them all, but my stand out favorite was the Blueberry Banana Acai.  They had a great chewy cookie texture and were not crumbly at all (something that I hate when I have to clean up after a messy snack time).  

The verdict - These were a tasty snack that my daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed.  I love that they are non-GMO and preservative free.  From a marketing standpoint, I love the characters they created for their packaging.  It's a great way to get little ones excited about them and competes with the characters so successfully used by conventional kid-targeted foods.  While they would only be an occasional treat for my children, they are a wonderful option for parents looking for a healthier snack that they can feel good about giving their kids.

The Giveaway!
limited to our U.S. residents only

Now for the amazing part!  I have a sample pack for one lucky reader to try for their very own!  I was just so excited about this product that I wanted to pass it along and spread the word about this company.  Enter below for your chance to win!! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Product Spotlight - Gardein Sliders

While I do try to stay away from frozen meals, I will admit that I occasionally indulge.  When I was at Whole Foods recently, I noticed these Gardein Beefless Sliders in the freezer section!  I just had to try them.  Since becoming a vegetarian, I have really missed sliders.  They are just such a fun food!  Well, I was very happy I had them in my freezer because I have not been in much of a position to do extra cooking (you know what I mean if you saw the end of yesterday's post).  So I decided to try them for lunch.

The package included 4 patties and 4 buns.  It only required the use of a skillet to heat everything through.  While the burgers were cooking, I sliced some farm fresh tomatoes and onions and organic lettuce.  The entire meal was ready in about 8 minutes!  I have to tell you, I was worried about the bun. I thought it was going to be dry, but it was really good!  Along with the veggies, I added organic ketchup, mustard and relish.  The patties were juicy and had a very good texture.

Overall, I was very pleased with the Gardein Beefless Sliders.  They were a quick and easy meal that was perfect for a time when I really couldn't cook.  The fact that they only include the patty and the bun means you have a variety of customizations you can make!  You can build BBQ sliders with onion rings, Hawaiian sliders with teriyaki sauce and pineapple, add some caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms...the possibilites are endless!  I am very pleased that Gardein products use non-GMO ingredients and the quality is consistently impressive.  If you see these items in your grocer's freezer, pick them up and give them a try.  I really think you will like them!

Product Spotlight - Imagine No Chicken Broth

When I decided to take the leap to vegetarianism, I did it for ethical reasons.  I had struggled with reconciling my deep love of animals and a meat-eaters diet for many years, but upon learning more about factory farming and other egregious agri-business practices, I became a more conscious consumer.   I have been a vegetarian for almost 6 years now, and there are still a number of foods I miss.  One dish in particular is my husband's perfected chicken noodle soup.  I am telling you, this soup is the best soup I have ever had!  But how could you possibly make chicken noodle soup for a vegetarian and make it taste like the original version?

Then I found this amazing product - Imagine No Chicken Broth.  So many recipes call for substituting vegetable broth for chicken broth, but it is just not the same!  You can always tell it is just vegetable broth.  This no-chicken broth is different.  I have used it for soups, sauces, pastas, and casseroles and they all taste amazing!  I love that it is organic as well.

Now, it may be a little hard to find.  I have only been able to consistently find it at Whole Foods, but you can buy it online form their website, and I have seen it on Amazon as well.  If you are able to find it, I urge you to give it a try!  You won't be disappointed!  :)

Image Credit

Product Review

Amy's Quarter Pound Veggie Burger

Having been a meat eater for about a quarter century before becoming a vegetarian, not just any veggie burger will do for me.  For years I had searched high and low for the best veggie burger I could find.  The common complaints I had were the texture and the size.  Can someone please tell me why most pre-made veggie burgers are so small!?!?  After much trial and error, I have found the best frozen veggie burgers!  Amy's Quarter Pound burgers are so delicious!  And as you can see from the photo below, they fill an entire bun!  The texture is the truest I have found, and even my beef-eating husband enjoys these!

These patties can easily be cooked on a skillet or a BBQ.  There is no thawing involved, so they are ready whenever you are!  An important point for me is that Amy's does not use any GMO soy in this product.  In my area, I have only consistently found these at Whole Foods, but they are well worth the extra trip.  If you have been looking for the best veggie burger, or been considering giving it a try, go for the Amy's Quarter Pound burger.  You will not be disappointed!

Fresh Idea

Product Review - PlanetBox

With my oldest daughter starting school in just a few months, I will soon be faced with packing her lunches.  I grew up with the daily use of disposable brown paper bags and ziplocs, but I refuse to have such a wasteful household.  Sure, there are loads of plastic options - even BPA free ones, but I am still leery of using plastics when other options are available.  Luckily, I came across PlanetBox!  They have an amazing lunchbox made of food-grade stainless steel!

The company was started by a husband and wife team (one was a health educator and the other was a medical products designer).  The box is broken up into 5 compartments to allow for a variety of foods for each lunch.  The main compartment is perfectly sized for a sandwich, bagel, or pasta salad, while the others are great for fruits, veggies, cheese, crackers, or anything else your kids like!  There is even a small "treat" space just the right size for something a little sweet.  It also comes with two separate "dippers" that are perfect for dips, yogurts, or anything you want to keep separate.  The lids are lined with silicone to prevent leaking.

Each box can be customized with one of 15 sets of magnets that can be placed on the top of the stainless steel container.  You can also get the carry bag in your choice of 6 colors.  The bag has a front pocket that can fit the big "dipper" and a pouch just the right size for your reusable water bottle.  The design options are great because allowing your kids to be a part of the selection process gives them a sense of ownership, and it will likely motivate them to take better care of their planetbox.  It is a bit of an investment - $60 for the box, 2 dippers, magnets, and carry bag, but I absolutely think it is worth every penny.  My daughter just loves it and looks forward to her lunches.

Please know that I was not compensated for this review.  I purchased the PlanetBox on my own and wanted to share this great product with you.