Portobello Pepper Cheese Roll

Portobello mushrooms are special to me. It could be the texture, which I would describe as almost meaty. Or it could be the taste, subtle and smoky at the same time. Maybe it's the way their flavour melds with other flavours to make something entirely new. Whatever it is, I always find myself drawn to portobellos. This photo is of a portobello sandwich on a roll, one that I had a quaint brewery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The sandwich was so delicious that I have done my best to re-create it here.






Ingredients:

1/2 tsp olive oil
1 portobello mushroom
1/2 red pepper
1 slice sweet onion
1/4 cup alfalfa sprouts
2 lettuce leaves
1 hardboiled egg
2 tsp goat cheese
2 tsp italian style dressing
1 sandwich roll

Directions:

Prepare a grill pan by brushing it with the olive oil and placing on a heated burner. Remove the gills from the portobello mushroom and place it on the grill pan. Remove the seeds and membranes from the red pepper. Flatten it (it will split) and place it skin side down on the grill pan. Place the slice of onion on the grill pan. Cook the vegetables until they show grill marks, turn so that they have grill marks on both sides and are soft, but still retain some of their firm texture. When the red pepper has finished cooking, finish it by peeling off the charred skin with the back of a knife. Cook the egg while the vegetables are grilling by placing the egg in a pan of cold water. Bring the water to a boil, then remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 8 to 10 minutes. After the time has elapsed, cool the egg under running cold water and peel, then cut it in half. To prepare the finished sandwhich, layer all of the ingredients on the roll. Moisten it with a splash of the salad dressing. Enjoy!

Makes 1 roll.

Stealthy Cooking Tip: Use a good quality whole grain roll for added taste and health benefit. I especially like the sprouted whole wheat rolls that are available at my local market. In addition to adding a great taste component, the whole grains add another healthy layer to this already healthy sandwich!