Okay, so this title isn't as accurate as it could be. It really should read, Healthy Chipotle BMGTT, which obviously stands for Barbecue, Mixed Greens, Tomato and Tofu. Um, maybe not so obvious...I'll think I'll just stick with Healthy Chipotle BLT. This is kind of a snobby sandwich, but in a good way. It's like like a traditional BLT, but much, much tastier and a lot healthier, too! First, let's just get rid of the bacon shall we? What's that noise? I think I hear a faint outcry in the distance. As a wise, old "pin" I once came across on Pinterest said, "Relax, it's a strip of pig carcass, not an oxygen tank." Let's get real people. Think you still like bacon? You're a daisy if you do. Check out this link about bacon, but my favorite might be," The Director-General of the World Health Organization warns that we may be facing an end to modern medicine as we know it thanks in part to the mass feeding of antibiotics to farm animals to accelerate growth." Lovely. Nah, I'll stick with crispy, pan seared tofu. Tofu get's a bad rap from omnivores but if Todd, King of Baloney and Other Processed Meats can eat it and like it, then I guarantee that you can too.
Moving on from how gross bacon is...chipotle barbecue sauce. This is a weeknight dinner type of BBQ sauce. Feel free to make your own, but if you're in a hurry like me and not a BBQ sauce connoisseur like my dad, then the sauce from the store will be just fine. And of course add in some ground chipotle chili powder!
Romaine is so boring. How about some fresh mixed greens? Yes, that is definitely better. And the tomato says, of course. Extra points for using a super snobby heirloom tomato or better yet one from your own garden. I just picked one up from the store. I'm not perfect.
As for the bread, use your favorite!
The Healthy Chipotle BLT
Inspired by Foods For The Soul
Makes two whole sandwiches
- 1 block of tofu (you'll only use half)
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4-1/2 tsp. ground chipotle chili powder
- 1 vine-ripened tomato, sliced
- 4 slices of your favorite bread, toasted
- 2 small handfuls of mixed greens or lettuce
First we need to press that tofu. This is important if a crispy tofu crust is desired, which it is, but we have to take that moisture out to get it! So, take yo' tofu and sandwich it between four paper towels, folded to the size of the tofu. Two above the tofu, and two below. Then, get a cookie sheet and place atop the tofu brick then balance a heavy book on top, or if you're daring like me, a potted plant. Okay, using a potted plant...it's probably not my best idea...use a book. Allow to press for 30 minutes, if possible.
While the tofu is pressing, spray a large frying pan with a nonstick cooking spray. In a small bowl, combine the barbecue sauce and the ground chipotle. Now's a good time to slice up that tomato, too.
Once the tofu is done pressing, pat it dry with a fresh paper towel and slice in half hotdog style, then in half hotdog style again. You should have four thin bricks of tofu, but you'll only need two. Heat up that frying pan and add two bricks of tofu, ensuring that they don't overlap. Allow to cook on each side for a few minutes, until they gets golden and crispy. Feel free to cook the other two bricks afterward and use them chopped up in a salad or for even more sandwiches!
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Toast your bread and then add the desired amount of chipotle barbecue sauce. Add the mixed greens to one side and the tomato slices on top, then add one brick of tofu followed by the bread. Complicated stuff, I know, but try to stay with me. Repeat for the second sandwich. Feel free to share that second sammy or just hoard it all for yourself. I shared, because I'm a lady.
Who would want a typical BLT when you can have a BMGTT?
- 1 block of tofu (you'll only use half)
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4-1/2 tsp. ground chipotle chili powder
- 1 vine-ripened tomato, sliced
- 4 slices of your favorite bread, toasted
- 2 small handfuls of mixed greens or lettuce
- Press the tofu to get excess moisture out, for 30 minutes, if possible. Sandwich tofu between paper towels and place a heavy book or other object on top.
- Spray a large frying pan with a nonstick cooking spray.
- In a small bowl, combine barbecue sauce and ground chipotle.Slice tomato.
- Once the tofu is done, pat dry with a fresh paper towel and slice into four thin bricks, but you'll only need two.
- Heat up pan and add two tofu bricks, ensuring that they don't overlap.
- Allow to cook on each side for a few minutes, until they gets golden and crispy.
- Toast bread and then add the desired amount of chipotle barbecue sauce. Add mixed greens and tomato slices, then one brick of tofu followed by the bread. Repeat for the second sandwich.
