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Hawaiian Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Tempeh

in Sandwiches

hawaiian grilled cheese 4love Hawaiian pizza.
I also love warm pineapple…
and tempeh on sandwiches…
and grilled cheese sandwiches…
and pretty much anything and everything that is sweet and savory.

hawaiian grilled cheese 3And it turns out that when you add all of those things up, you get an awfully tasty Hawaiian pizza-inspired vegan grilled cheese sandwich.

I am definitely not complaining about that.

hawaiian grilled cheeseBesides, traditional grilled cheese sandwiches are so ten years ago.  Ahh heck, who am I kidding?  I just ate one a couple of months ago.  I guess grilled cheese sandwiches are one of those things that you just never grow out of.  But that does not mean that we cannot make them a bit more sophisticated from time to time, now does it?  Well, that is if grilled cheese sandwiches can even be sophisticated.  I suppose I have never been one to strive for a “sophisticated” life, so I’m thinking I’m good to go on a lifetime of grilled cheese sandwiches- traditional or not.

hawaiian grilled cheese 2Hawaiian Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Tempeh
Vegan

Servings: Makes 1

Ingredients

1/8 cup Bragg’s Liquid Aminos or coconut aminos
1/8 cup teriyaki sauce
1/8 cup water
4 slices of tempeh (about 1/5 of an 8 ounce package)
coconut oil spray
2 pieces whole wheat bread
1 to 2 TB coconut oil
1 slice vegan cheese (I like Daiya brand)
1/8 of a small red onion, sliced
1 pineapple ring

Directions

1. Combine Bragg’s, teriyaki sauce, and water in a small bowl.  Whisk together.  Add tempeh slices and marinate for at least one hour in the fridge.

2. Once the tempeh has been in the marinade for at least an hour, remove it and sautee it over medium heat on the stove top in a pan that has been sprayed with coconut oil cooking spray.  Cook for approximately 8 to 10 minutes, flipping once halfway through, or until golden brown on both sides.  Remove from the heat and set aside.

3. Heat a small pan or griddle over medium heat.  Spread the coconut oil on one side of each slice of bread.

4. Place one slice of bread (coconut oil side down) into the pan.  Top this slice of bread with the vegan cheese, cooked tempeh, onions, and pineapple.

5. Top the sandwich with the second slice of bread, keeping the coconut oil side facing up.

6. Turn the heat down to medium low and cover the pan with a lid (this helps the “cheese” melt more easily).  Cook for approximately 5 minutes, or until the bottom piece of bread is golden brown.  Flip and continue coooking the second side for an additional 3 to 5 minutes.

Cut and serve alongside your favorite fruit or veggie.

hawaiian griled cheese 6There I go again with the non-diagonal grilled cheese cutting.  I’m not sure what is wrong with me, but I think I must be losing my mind.  Somebody needs to come over and start cutting my sandwiches for me.  Mom, are you available?

Oh, and for the FYI, you are going to want to dip this sandwich in barbecue sauce.  It takes it from good to soooo good.

hawaiian grilled cheese 5It may not be your “traditional” grilled cheese sandwich, but I happen to think that is a great thing!  Sweet and savory all the way!

Does anyone have any fun weekend plans?

My boyfriend will be in town for the next five days and I am beyond excited about it!  We have plans at the lake with Erin, Joanna, and their husbands tomorrow, a brewery tour sometime this weekend, and the rest of the time should be spent eating at delicious Omaha restaurants and relaxing.  It sounds like the perfect weekend to me!  Let’s hope this one goes by so, SO slowly!

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{ 27 comments… add one }
  • meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles July 25, 2014, 5:02 am
    I think I may try the Daiya cheese. I have never bought a vegan cheese since I don't eat much cheese to begin with. However, I have been eating less dairy and am now craving a grilled cheese sandwich lol. Is the vegan cheese similar in taste to regular cheese? I really only like mozzarella and the occasional American. meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles recently posted...Ben & Jerry’s and Putting Life In PerspectiveMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 25, 2014, 10:03 am
      It definitely does not taste exactly like cheese, but I truly LOVE it in hot dishes/grilled cheese/etc. because it actually melts! I like it cold, but not as much as I like it hot.
  • Joanna @Makingmine July 25, 2014, 7:24 am
    OK, we definitely need to do a grilled cheese 3C1K! I also love warm pineapple… and cold pineapple. But I almost never buy the fruit because Jeff doesn't eat it and it's a beast to cut. Maybe you could make me a cutting a pineapple tutorial ;)
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 25, 2014, 10:04 am
      My secret is... I bought it in a can!! ;) haha.. cutting pineapples scare me too! Maybe I'll have to try it out, though. And AWESOME idea! We should do a "grilled cheese bar" for the next 3C1K!
  • Heather (Where's the Beach) July 25, 2014, 7:39 am
    Just pinned - this sounds fantastic!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 25, 2014, 10:06 am
      Thanks so much, Heather! Let me know if you give it a try!
  • Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat July 25, 2014, 7:40 am
    This sandwich sounds amazing!!! Grilled cheese is always a favorite of mine, but this version totally takes it to another level! Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat recently posted...A Long Overdue UpdateMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 25, 2014, 10:06 am
      There is nothing like a good grilled cheese!! I have been having fun lately mixing up the topping ideas!
  • Lish July 25, 2014, 8:25 am
    Love the Hawaiian twist to a grilled cheese! I make grilled cheeses all the time so am always looking for unique ways to make them more interesting :)
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 25, 2014, 10:07 am
      It is SO fun to try to come up with new grilled cheese combinations. I feel like the possibilities are endless!
  • Katherine July 25, 2014, 10:27 am
    Your blog has me craving some exotic type of grilled cheese regularly. I love Hawaiian flavors and making a veggie packed vegan sandwich revolving around these flavors is perfect! How do you come up with this stuff? It's so fresh and new xx Katherine recently posted...Peanut Buttery Banana Bread!My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 25, 2014, 12:21 pm
      Thank you, Katherine! And honestly... I have no idea how I come up with some of the stuff that I do. It just randomly pops instead my head...usually at inconvenient times like when I am trying to fall asleep at night ;)
  • Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health July 25, 2014, 1:24 pm
    you are freaking creative! Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health recently posted...Omega -3 Fatty Acids & Exercise #fitnessfridayMy Profile
  • lindsay July 25, 2014, 1:31 pm
    check check check! I've got the ingredients. And i can use the GF tempeh! WOO! love me some Hawaiian grilled cheese
  • Erin @ Her Heartland Soul July 25, 2014, 1:39 pm
    I typically don't like warm pineapple but this looks delicious! I may just have to try it. :D Thanks for sharing! Erin @ Her Heartland Soul recently posted...Friday Five 25My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 25, 2014, 4:11 pm
      You need to get on the warm pineapple bandwagon! ;) Also, I found it funny that I had to moderate your comment since you have a new e-mail address now!
  • Em @ Love A Latte July 25, 2014, 3:34 pm
    I love tempeh sandwiches. This looks tasty. I'm still on the fence about pineapple warm, but really this looks delicious! Grilled cheese sandwiches with daiya is the best. Em @ Love A Latte recently posted...19 Days Until My Due DateMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 25, 2014, 9:14 pm
      Sliced daiya is definitely BEST served on grilled cheese sandwiches. I LOVE it!
  • Brittany July 25, 2014, 9:37 pm
    OH my goodness this looks unreal.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 28, 2014, 7:28 am
      Thank you, Brittany!! You are always a lover of a good grilled cheese... I like that!
  • Mom July 26, 2014, 10:04 am
    I suppose I could make the 5 hr drive to cut your sandwiches for you. I'm sure you would make it worth my while by fixing me some great meals!!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 28, 2014, 7:28 am
      That sounds like the perfect plan! ;)
  • Kelly @ hidden fruits and veggies July 26, 2014, 1:57 pm
    I was thinking the whole time reading how delicious this would be with bbq sauce - great minds! Sounds delicious and much better than ordering a Hawaiinew pizza (which I get/make with bbq sauce instead of pizza sauce, try it!)
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 28, 2014, 7:29 am
      I think you and I may be a little obsessed with BBQ sauce.. maybe? ;) I love it though!
  • Claudia August 1, 2014, 7:32 pm
    Consequently yummy! That seems amazing! Claudia recently posted...Braising Barbecue GrillMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl August 1, 2014, 9:01 pm
      Thanks so much, Claudia! I hope you try it!
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