Every lunchtime feels like a fresh start, and this easy veggie hummus sandwich recipe is like a burst of sunshine on a plate—colorful, vibrant, and oh-so-satisfying! Picture this: creamy hummus nestled between slices of crusty bread, layered with crisp veggies that crunch with every bite. It’s like a picnic for your taste buds, a little midday escape from the ordinary, and honestly, who wouldn’t want that?
Steps
- Prepare the Bread: Choose whole-grain bread for its nutty taste and fiber benefits. Opt for country bread or bread with a firm crust to avoid sogginess, though any preferred sandwich bread will work.
- Apply the Spreads: Spread hummus on one slice of bread and mashed avocado on the other. These spreads not only add flavor but also help hold the vegetables in place and form a barrier to prevent sogginess. If avocado is unavailable, consider using more hummus or whipped cream cheese.
- Add the Vegetables: Use a selection of salad greens, shredded carrot, cucumber, and red bell pepper for your sandwich. Feel free to experiment with additions like spinach, sprouts, or sliced tomatoes, ensuring wet vegetables are pat-dried to avoid sogginess.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Layer the chosen vegetables evenly over the spread on one slice of bread. Close the sandwich with the second slice, pressing gently to hold everything together. Wrap the sandwich tightly if not consumed immediately to maintain freshness.
Ingredients
- Whole-grain bread (two slices)
- Hummus (spread on one slice of bread)
- Mashed avocado (spread on the other slice of bread)
- Salad greens
- Shredded carrot
- Cucumber (sliced)
- Red bell pepper (sliced)
- Spinach
- Sprouts
- Sliced red onion
- Sliced tomato
- Broccoli slaw
- Thinly sliced radish
- Fresh herbs (such as cilantro or basil)
- Banana peppers
- Pickles
FAQ
- What type of bread is best for the Veggie & Hummus Sandwich?
- Whole-grain bread is recommended for its nutty flavor and fiber-boosting benefits. A firm crust bread like country bread is preferable, but softer sandwich bread can also be used.
- How can I prevent my sandwich from becoming soggy?
- To avoid sogginess, use a salad spinner to remove moisture from the vegetables and pat them dry. Additionally, spreading hummus and avocado on both slices forms a barrier that helps keep the bread from absorbing moisture.
- What can I use as a spread if I don’t have avocado?
- If avocado is unavailable, you can double up on hummus or try using whipped cream cheese, plain or flavored with basil or sun-dried tomato pesto, as an alternative spread.
- How can I keep the avocado from browning in my sandwich?
- Squeeze a little lemon juice on the avocado to slow down browning and store the sandwich in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap.
- What vegetables work well in this sandwich?
- The sandwich traditionally includes salad greens, shredded carrots, cucumber, and red bell pepper. However, you can also add spinach, sprouts, sliced tomatoes, red onion, broccoli slaw, radishes, or fresh herbs. Just pat any wet ingredients dry to reduce moisture.
Tips
- To prevent your sandwich from becoming too moist, thoroughly dry any vegetables you plan to use. A salad spinner can be effective for this, and storing ingredients separately until assembly can help maintain freshness.
- Avocado can brown quickly after cutting, so either prepare your sandwich around the time you plan to eat it or add a splash of lemon juice to the avocado to slow oxidation. Keeping the sandwich in an airtight container or wrapping it tightly can also help.
- Prepare crisp salad greens a day in advance by washing, tearing, and rolling them in a cotton towel. Wrap the towel in plastic wrap and refrigerate to keep them fresh and crunchy.
- For a delicious bread option, try making whole-wheat sourdough. Alternatively, you can use your preferred type of bread, such as wraps or rolls, to suit your taste.
Equipment
- Salad Spinner – Useful for drying vegetables to prevent the sandwich from becoming soggy.
- Airtight Food Storage Containers – Helpful for storing the sandwich to keep the avocado from browning.
- Cotton Kitchen Towels – Useful for drying and storing salad greens.
- Plastic Wrap – To wrap and store sandwich ingredients, especially avocado, to prevent browning.
