My husbamd left for a business trip today, so yesterday he started craving down home comfort food. One of our favorites is this Reuben sandwich. Take the time to simmer the tempeh before you saute it to remove the bitterness. My daughter in Brussels asked for the recipe after her dad posted the pic on her Facebook wall. Since I was sharing with her, I thought I'd share with you too! Forgive the informality of the recipe. It's one of those things I "just do". I don't have an official recipe.

Thicker sliced whole grain or rye bread, preferably with seeds

Tempeh, 4 oz, i/2 cake, per person

Organic Sauerkraut (I used Woodstock brand)

Homemade Thousand Island Dressing (Catsup, Veganaise, and relish combined to your taste. I usually plop the Veganaise in a bowl, squeeze a little organic catsup on top, taste, adjust, and then add relish till looks right)

Optional - vegan cheese 

Steam or simmer the tempeh for about 20 minutes. Remove the tempeh from the pot and saute in a healthy oil till it's golden brown on each side. In the meantime, toast the bread and heat the sauerkraut. Drain kraut. Now - start building. Bread, dressing, tempeh, kraut, little more dressing if you like, or serve more on the side. Vegan cheese is an option BUT I HATE IT, so not an option for me. If you are using the vegan cheese, don't toast the bread, layer the same as above then cook it like you would a grilled cheese. It will be thick, so put a lid on the pan to help the cheese melt.

Enjoy!

*Image courtesy Flickr creative commons.