Excerpts

Peanut Butter Banana Bacon Sandwiches Oh yes, we did. if you're in a pinch and prefer using panfried and ready-to-go tempeh bacon instead of the "fiberful" chickpea goodness here, it will work well, too. Yield: 4 sandwiches For chickpea bacon: --1 can (15 ounces, or 425 g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed --1 tablespoon (15 ml) pure maple syrup --1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar --Heaping 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika --1/2 teaspoon smoked sea salt, to taste --1/2 teaspoon onion powder --1/4 teaspoon garlic powder --2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon (10 to 15 ml) --Liquid smoke, to taste --1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil For sandwiches: --1/2 cup (128 g) crunchy, unsweetened natural peanut butter --4 soft bread rolls, cut in half, or 8 slices any bread --2 small, just-ripe bananas, sliced --Nonstick cooking spray or nondairy butter To make the chickpea bacon: Preheat the broiler. Combine all the ingredients in a medium-size bowl and then spread in a shallow, 8-inch (20-cm) baking dish. Make sure the chickpeas are in a single layer so they cook evenly. Broil for 8 minutes, stir, and broil for 6 to 8 minutes longer, checking every 2 minutes to make sure the chickpeas don't burn. They are ready when the liquid has been absorbed and the chickpeas are crispy and dark golden brown. To assemble the sandwiches: Spread 1 tablespoon (16 g) peanut butter (or enough to cover the whole surface of the bread) on each slice of bread. Gently press down a generous 1/3 cup (90 g) chickpea bacon (or as much as will fit) into the peanut butter on 4 of the slices. Place as many slices of banana as will fit on top. Put the second peanut-buttered slice on top. Lightly coat a large skillet with spray, or melt some butter in the skillet. Cook the sandwiches in batches on medium-low heat until golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes on each side. These are also great prepared in a closed panini press, for about 6 minutes in all. This will meld the ingredients together a little more than just grilling the sandwich does. Serving suggestions and variations: You might want to consider making a double or triple batch of chickpea bacon to eat as is, because it makes for a delicious snack that will fly out of the bowl faster than you can swat at the hands attempting to steal your beans. if you do make a larger batch, be sure to use a larger baking tray so the chickpeas can be spread in an even layer, not sitting on top of each other, so they all get a chance to brown up. Excerpted from Vegan Sandwiches Save the Day!: Revolutionary New Takes on Everyone's Favorite Anytime Meal by Tamasin Noyes, Celine Steen All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.