If you are anything like me, then you know and appreciate just how amazing roasted vegetables can be. The roasting process easily turns vegetables from being “ordinary” to being “extraordinary.” Some of my favorite vegetables to roast include brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, parsnips, radishes, and potatoes. The best and most efficient way to roast vegetables is to roast them in large batches. Roasting vegetables in batches leaves me with multiple side dishes for the week and with delicious vegetables to add to main dishes and salads. Recently, I came up with another quick and easy way to incorporate roasted vegetables into my meals. I added them to two of my other favorite ingredients: toasted bread and cheese!
Roasted Veggie Melt Sandwich
Servings: 1
Ingredients
water, for cooking
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 small red onion, diced
1/2 an avocado, mashed
assorted roasted vegetables (I used butternut squash, parsnips, sweet potatoes, and broccoli)
olive oil cooking spray
2 pieces 100% whole wheat bread
1 to 2 TB coconut oil
1/4 cup to 1/2 cup shredded cheese (I used Daiya vegan “cheese”)
Directions
1. Line a small skillet with a thin layer of water. Heat over medium-high heat until very hot. Once hot, lower the heat to medium and add garlic and onions. Cook for approximately 6 to 8 minutes, or until softened. Add additional water, as necessary.
2. Turn the heat down to medium-low. Add roasted vegetables to the pan and cook for approximately 3 to 5 minutes, or until warm.
3. Heat a griddle pan or small skillet over medium heat. Spray with cooking spray.
4. Spread one side of each piece of bread with coconut oil. Place the coconut oil side of each slice of bread onto the sprayed pan.
5. Top each piece of bread with half of the mashed avocado and half of the vegetable mixture.
6. Sprinkle cheese onto the vegetable mixture.
7. Cook each slice of bread for approximately 3 to 5 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted. You can also under-cook the bread slightly and place the pan into the oven and “broil” the sandwich for a couple of minutes to melt the cheese further.
The Daiya vegan “cheese” does not melt quite as well as dairy cheese, but trust me when I say that it still tastes very good!
You can serve the Roasted Veggie Melt Sandwich in the more “traditional” sandwich form…
…or serve it open-faced, as I did. I also served my sandwich with a side of cooked mixed vegetables.
Seriously, how easy is this sandwich to make? Oh, and did I mention how delicious it is? There is really no excuse to not be able to use up all of those leftover roasted vegetables that are hanging out in your fridge!
A Blogcation
And now, to announce my plans for the coming week. As many of you fellow food bloggers know, blogging can really act like a part-time job. Meal planning is time-consuming, grocery shopping is time-consuming, cooking takes up a hefty chunk of my week nights, picture-taking has become a pre-dinner requirement, and writing blog posts and comments take planning, creativity, and of course…time! Now do not get me wrong, I absolutely love blogging, commenting, and participating in the health and food blogging “world.” However, I have begun to notice that my time spent away from my computer is often limited (I am also on my computer for much of the day at work). As a result, I am dedicating the following week as a sort of “blogcation,” or a vacation away from blogging. I will not be writing and posting blog posts on my blog, and my comments on my blog and other blogs will be limited. It is my goal for this week to get in more “me time,” to be off of my computer by 8:30 p.m. each night, and to just get a breather from the realm of technology. I recognize that I need some personal “me time” and a break from my computer. I hope to return next week feeling rejuvenated and with my creativity level renewed :).
So while you likely will not hear a whole lot from me in the coming week, I will at least leave you with a few recipes to look forward to in the coming weeks, including:
Pea and Carrot Rice Soup
Kung Pao Tofu and Veggies over Brown Rice
Thai Chickpea Cabbage
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I completely understand needing a blogcation. Enjoy! I’ve decided to start posting on a M/W/F schedule now . . . every day was getting to be too much for me. I do love blogging, but I have to find balance as well. 🙂
Good for you for setting limits and boundaries for your blogging. Your blogcation is very well-deserved! Enjoy your week and I look forward to your recipes when you return 🙂
I love roasting veggies in big batches and having them on hand for the week. I hope you enjoy your blogcation 🙂
Yeah sometimes you jut need a break to make you appreciate it more when you get back. Hope you have a nice time jut chilling away from the computer 🙂
Enjoy your me time (:
girl i totally feel you on that! I sometimes get in such a habit of blogging daily then go weeks without it, it def gets to be alot ! Enjoy it, you will find a happy medium soon with having a life and blog lol btw this sandwich looks great!
OMG seriously come here right now and be my personal cook!
I love roasting veggies! I love your blog so know that your hard work is appreciated. Enjoy your blogcation!
I think a blogcation is a great way to refocus. But I will miss all these delish veggie recipes! I will def be trying a toasted veggie melt soon 🙂
I’ve just got into roasted vegetables so loving the idea of this sandwich.
I hope you enjoy your time off and come back refreshed and rejuvenated. I know what you mean about spending too much time on the computer sometimes and needing days off.
Looks delicious! I need to take more time to roast my veggies more often (and take more time to enjoy life away from the computer screen, too!) enjoy your blogcation!
Veggie sandwiches are awesome! I admire that you’re taking a “blogcation” that’s great you’re focusing on yourself! I don’t even remember my life before blogging… crazy!
i think the blogcation is great for you. I hope you find what you need with that added time
Have fun on your blogcation. Look forward to hearing about all of those yummy recipes!
I love the idea of roasting veggies in large batches and using them in a variety of ways. Your sandwich looks fantastic!
I *completely* understand the need and desire to take a break from blogging. It’s something I do on a semi-regular basis, and it always helps revive my passion and energy. Enjoy your week off! I’ll miss your posts, but know you’ll be enjoying your time away! Hugs! <3
I totally get needing a break from blogging – enjoy your time off!
I think it’s wonderful that you’ve decided to take a little vacation away from blogging. I did it a month or so ago, and I must say, it was awesome!! Enjoy the time to yourself darling <3
Good for you! I probably should do the same thing and did a little this past weekend. It’s nice to unplug and spend less time focusing online and more time with friends, family and yourself! Enjoy it!
what a great looking sandwich. i LOVE roasted veggies! hope you enjoy your break- i was feeling burned out about a year ago & started only posting on Sunday and MWF and it’s worked great. and sometimes even that doesn’t happen….but life is more important!
You have a winning sandwich here. I am looking forward to being able to make this. I am applauding your strength for going on a blogcation. It takes a lot to step back.
I think a blogcation is a great idea…and so necessary every so often! As much as I love blogging and reading blogs, living life comes first so enjoy your time away from the computer!
Oh that sandwich sounds so delicious! And I love that the bread is cooked too!
Great decision about the blocation. I totally feel you on the time consumption and it’s definitely a very wise idea to take a week of more me time. Enjoy it!!!
Roasted is one of my favorite ways to enjoy veggies – I love how they crisp up and get almost caramel-like! Enjoy your week off 🙂 I usually do a “spring break” too and thinking I’ll take it sometime in the near future… Nothing’s better than disconnecting with the internet world and connecting with the real world!
Enjoy your time off! Can’t wait for you to return and share your recipes and experiences again, though!
Enjoy your blogication you deserve it! Glad you’re not going anywhere for long though! You’ve got so many great cooking ideas like this veggie sandwich. I was actually just looking for another way to incorporate random veggie assortments. Have a great week and enjoy your eats!
That sandwhich looks amazing!! Goodness gracious.
And I am in full support of a little break!! We all need one from time to time. Cant wait to see all those recipes!!
Sometimes disconnecting from technology is SO needed! Enjoy your time away 🙂
I love me some roasted veggies, but I’ve never thought about eating them sandwhich style….great idea! Enjoy your blogcation!
Enjoy your blogcation!
Never thought to do that with veggies, sounds delicious! And enjoy your break 🙂 I’m enjoying not stressing over posts!
Have a great blogcation
Mmmm, I love veggie-filled sandwiches and roasting them just makes it even better! Enjoy your time off from blogging, I know that that can be much-needed sometimes.
Roasted veggies make me mega happy.
I love warm veggie sandwiches! Enjoy your time off, and I’ll be looking forward to those recipes 🙂
I hope you’re enjoying your blogcation!!! This sandwich is enough to last you a week with good food thoughts!
I love this roasted veggie sandwich + veggies on the side! SO healthy 🙂 Congrats for taking a blogcation–blogging is such a huge job, and we all need well-deserved time off once in a while! Good for you!
Now that is one perfect sandwich.
I love how healthy this is! I’m trying to hard to eat better lately and as hard as it is, sandwiches like this one get me motivated 🙂
sandwich looks amazing! Enjoy your blogcation. You deserve it!
I was wondering where you’ve been! It seems like an appropriate week for a break. I hope you are able to get in some good, quality time and we’ll see you soon. 🙂
Enjoy your break! 🙂
That looks like the best sandwich ever!!! Oh man and with daiya on it…that’s the works! 🙂
That sandwich looks incredible!!! I really admire you for taking a “blogcation.” Hope you’ll enjoy your extra free time! We’ll be here when you get back :O)
Love making big batches of roasted veggies, although then I generally eat them cold. Or with ketchup. 😉
Enjoy your break! See you when you get back. Blogging IS time consuming, and it can feel like a lot of pressure to ‘keep up.’ Good for you for recognizing you need a little breather.
MMMM looks like a simple but satisfying meal!
Enjoy your mini break!! 😀 we will miss you!!
I can so relate–I could use a break too! I hope you enjoy yours! 🙂
Have a nice little vacation!!! 🙂 Iknow sometimes it gets a little overwhelming!
I hope you are enjoying your blogcation! I know it is overwhelming at times… I’m always behind…