Lately I’ve been thinking more and more about doing something different with my life. I mean, I’ve been at this same little desk job for 7 years, that’s got to be some kind of record! And while I love the paycheck, my creative soul is yearning for something more fulfilling. So when Sarah from Smiling Hara Tempeh reached out to me last week I couldn’t help but become instantly obsessed with her amazing little tempeh company. She and her husband started the hempeh product with the help of kickstarter – how cool is that?! Hempeh is like tempeh but made with peanuts instead of soy, plus there’s hemp seeds in there for an extra superfood boost. And can I just tell you straight-up it’s one of the most delicious things I’ve ever tasted! Like, so, so, sooo good. I’ve talked about my love for tempeh a little bit here and here. And shared my recipes to make it taste good: marinate it in a bunch of different sauces and spices, steam it, fry it, make sure to sweeten it just enough to take the bitterness out. But this Hempeh doesn’t need any of that. I simply put it in the pan with a little bit of oil and that’s it – perfectly seasoned, amazing texture, totally delicious. And did I mention it’s local? Made right up here in the mountains of North Carolina! The next time we get a little mountain getaway on the calendar I will definitely plan a tempeh factory tour! So, a BLT doesn’t really require a recipe, it’s essentially just a few ingredients sandwiched together but somehow the simplicity becomes a magical experience. I’m thinking this would be the perfect thing to make your mom for Mother’s Day, you know, in honor of all those times she fixed you sandwiches.
Ingredients for The Sandwich
a couple slices of your favorite bread
1 avocado
2 eggs
lettuce
tomato
sprouts
mayo
Smiling Hara Hempeh
1 teaspoon of maple syrup (optional)
Directions
I lightly pan fried the hempeh slices in a little earth balance butter. Coconut oil, olive oil or plain butter would all work fine. Just a couple minutes per side or until the slices are lightly browned. I brushed a little maple syrup over the slices after they were cooked, it gives them a nice sheen and just a little sweetness, which I liked. After that, fry the eggs and assemble sandwich as shown. Yum!
Notes
This post is un-sponsored. Sarah was kind enough to share some of her hempeh with me. All opinions are my own, of course and I think you guys are gonna love this stuff as much as I do! Check-out their store locations to see if they’re in your area.