Today’s lunch was a hearty, healthy vegan sandwich:

Vegan BBQ Carrot and Spinach Sandwich

For people eliminating meat, dairy and wheat from their diets, it gets tricky trying to make meals that have a satisfying taste and still provide healthy solid nutrition. Here’s one I made up today because I was craving BBQ. Would I rather have BBQ pork smothered in cheese on a wheat roll? Hell yeah! But I have to say, this was a delicious alternative I think you’re going to like. Also – It’s packed with vitamins and minerals, Vegan, Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free!

• 1 large raw carrot, washed, sliced into 1/8 ribbons
• 3 cloves raw garlic, peeled, diced
• 1 tbspn olive oil
• 1 cup fresh baby spinach leaves
• 2 slices of your favorite bread
• BBQ sauce to taste

I used a slicing mandolin to cut the carrot, add along with garlic, 1 tbspn extra virgin olive oil to a good size cast-iron frying pan over medium heat. Saute the carrot ribbons, turning every minute or so, until they start to soften enough that you can bend them easily; about 7 minutes.

Meanwhile, toast the bread. We like Whole Grain Genius by Glutino for this (an absolutely delicious gluten free bread). It’s hard to tell the difference between this and “regular” bread that contains wheat, especially when it’s been toasted.

Carefully layer the spinach leaves, carrot ribbons and garlic onto one slice of the bread, top with BBQ sauce (we also put a little A1 sauce as well) and the other slice of bread and chow down!

Oh yeah, and have a napkin handy before you sit down to eat… this is a leetle messy!