Po’ Little Veggie Boy

DEAR SOS: Cafe Boogaloo in Hermosa Beach, my favorite spot for Cajun dishes, serves an excellent vegetarian po’ boy. Perhaps the cafe would share this recipe.

--ROBIN

DEAR ROBIN: The recipe created by Chef Tera Guthrie-Halasi would be an ideal sandwich for summer grilling parties.

GRILLED VEGETABLE PO’ BOY

SPICY TOMATO SAUCE

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, finely diced

3 green onions, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 small green bell pepper, thinly sliced

2 carrots, shredded

1 (14.5-ounce) can tomato puree

2 tablespoons chopped basil

2 tablespoons chopped parsley

2 teaspoons chopped oregano

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 teaspoons onion powder

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1/4 cup rice vinegar

2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce

1 tablespoon grated ginger root

1 cup chicken broth

Kosher salt

Pepper

Red pepper flakes

*

Heat olive oil until hot. Add onion and green onions and saute until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic, bell pepper, carrots, tomato puree, basil, parsley, oregano, cayenne, onion powder, mustard, vinegar, tamari and ginger and simmer 20 minutes. Add chicken broth and simmer until reduced by half, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Season to taste with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. (Note: Sauce may be made 3 to 4 days ahead and refrigerated. Preheat before using.) Makes 3 cups sauce.

VEGETABLES

1/2 pound seasonal vegetables (such as zucchini, squash, carrots, eggplant, asparagus, red and green bell peppers)

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning mix

1 (6-inch) French bread loaf or roll

2 slices (1 ounce) Provolone cheese

Peel vegetables if needed and slice thinly.

Combine olive oil with Cajun seasoning mix. Brush vegetables with seasoned oil and grill until tender. Set aside. (Note: Vegetables may be grilled up to 2 hours before making sandwich.) Reserve remaining seasoned oil. Cut French bread lengthwise and brush with reserved seasoned oil. Grill until golden.

Layer vegetables on bottom half of bread. Top with 3 tablespoons Spicy Tomato Sauce and cheese slices.

Broil or cook on covered grill until cheese melts. Add top half of bread and serve.

1 sandwich. Each sandwich with 3 tablespoons sauce:

689 calories; 1,080 mg sodium; 40 mg cholesterol; 47 grams fat; 47 grams carbohydrates; 24 grams protein; 3.27 grams fiber.