Veggie Num Pangs

Scrumptious Asian Inspired Veggie Sandwiches


I couldn't wait to make sandwiches after making the Kaiser Rolls last week, . I was inspired to make Num Pangs - translation - sandwich. After reading a Food and Wine article, I really wanted to make the Piquillo Pepper Num Pangs from the September issue. It is Southeast Asian Flavors in a veggie sandwich. It was perfect on the freshly baked Kaiser Rolls.

I was inspired by the recipe in the mag which makes a kind of Asian pesto. Sean had recently made pesto and so, as the magazine suggested, I improvised on the ingredients mentioned and came up with a delicious spicy spread. I added the mayo right to the spread and used on both sides of the Kaiser rolls. We have some leftover, hanging out in the fridge, ready for a future sandwich.

I wanted to add a few more veggies, including avocado to make a hearty flavorful sandwich. I of course shared with the neighbors and they said they were the bomb.

It's pretty simple to put your favorite veggies on a roll. Let this recipe inspire you to try some new flavors! The possibilities are endless! Hope you enjoy as much as we did!

Veggie Num Pangs

Inspired By http://http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/piquillo-pepper-num-pangs#

Pickled Carrots
2 medium Carrots, julienned
2 TBS Rice Wine Vinegar
1 TBS Sugar

Marinate carrots in vinegar and sugar. Best to do ahead and let sit for a hour or so.

Pesto Spread

1/2 cup pesto, homemade or store bought basil pesto

1 tsp fish sauce

1 tsp crushed red pepper or a few squeezes of sriracha. Make as spicy as you like.

Juice of one lime

2 TBS Mayo

Mix above ingredients. Add salt and pepper to your liking. The fish sauce can be omitted but add a lot of that Asian flavor that is so good on the sandwich.

Remaining Toppings and Rolls
Sriracha sauce, for drizzling
1/2 a cucumber, thinly sliced

Sliced Avocado

Roasted Red Peppers or Jarred Piquillo Peppers

Chopped Cilantro
4 large Lettuce Leaves

Four kaiser rolls, cut in half and spread with a little butter then toasted.
Spread each toasted Kaiser roll with Pesto Spread. I used on both sides of roll for lots of flavor. Top with lettuce leaves, cucumbers, carrots, red peppers, avocado and chopped cilantro. Add more sriracha if you would like. Place top on!

There you have it! A yummy veggie sandwich full of Asian flavors. Don't forget to add other veggies you might like...sliced radish or daikon would be great as well as tomato. We thought even grilled shrimp, chicken or tofu would be great.

Note: These are easily vegetarian. To make vegan, substitute basil leaves and olive oil in place of store bought pesto. Blend all pesto spread ingredients in food processor and use Vegenaise in place of mayo. Place all sandwich ingredients on your favorite sourdough roll and enjoy!

Happy eating!

Life is like a sandwich - the more you add to it, the better it becomes.