At this point, you may be thinking that I have asparagus running through my veins now. Well, that might be the case and I am just fine with that.
I might have a slight asparagus addiction right now. When the people at my local grocery store (who see me a few times a week) tell me I’m going overboard, that will be my sign.
Until then, here’s yet another way to enjoy asparagus my friends. An asparagus pesto spread that you can put on a sandwich, on a pizza, on crostini, eat with crackers, raw veggie sticks and more!
And play around with the recipe. . add more heat, or don’t. I kept it vegan, so there’s no cheese in this pesto but feel free to add some nutritional yeast, or parmesan or pecorino if you are looking for a more nutty, cheesy, or creamy pesto.
I’ve also been obsessed with carrot ribbons, y’all. Break out the vegetable peeler and just go to town. Aren’t they pretty?!
The other night we were at my friend’s house for dinner. I actually made this pasta for them and brought over some fruit for dessert. My friend, Rina, is recovering from surgery so friends had sent her ice cream from Santa Barbara (where she used to live) from a place called, McConnell’s, and others brought ice cream from a local place in Madison called The Chocolate Shoppe. So, needless to say, we had a little ice cream party.
This, of course, when I’m in the middle of training and eating healthy and trying to cut down on my sugar in-take. I did have some ice cream. I mean, come on, I couldn’t resist the best ice cream in Santa Barbara and this is the actual flavor name: “This $&@! Just Got Serious”, from The Chocolate Shoppe in Madison. It’s “smooth salted caramel ice cream brimming with rich sea salt fudge and salted cashews.” Damn, it was so good.
So, there will be some faltering in the healthy eating arena I’m sure. . which will be coupled with big veggie wins like this sandwich.
Lunch has never looked so good. I loved the asparagus pesto in here, along with all the crunchy veggies and soft, creamy avocado .. Also, I’m a condiment and dressing freak so I dipped my sandwich in balsamic dressing while I was eating it. . you can be more civilized and spread your dressing (or hummus on the toasted bread). Veggie lovers, you need to try this!
Vegan Power Sandwich with Asparagus Pesto
Ingredients
For the asparagus pesto:
- 1 bunch asparagus spears hard ends removed, roasted and cut into 2 inch pieces*
- 3 to 4 sun dried tomatoes
- 2 to 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup whole almonds or almond slices
- Kosher salt to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- red wine vinegar to taste
- light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil if needed
For the sandwich:
- 4 whole wheat bread slices toasted
- 1/2 large cucumber sliced thin lengthwise
- raw shaved fennel white bulb only
- 1 large tomato sliced thin
- 1 large carrot peeled to create ribbons
- alfalfa sprouts
- 1 to 2 ripe avocados sliced
- Serve with: Your fave creamy balsamic dressing or just oil and vinegar or some hummus
Instructions
For the asparagus pesto:
- *Let the roasted asparagus cool slightly before placing into the food processor. Place the roasted asparagus, sun dried tomatoes, minced garlic, cilantro and almonds in a food processor and pulse/process a few times until just blended.
- Sprinkle in some salt (start with just a pinch) and crushed red pepper flakes, if using, and pulse a few more times to blend together again. Add a splash of red wine vinegar and olive oil (if needed) and pulse again. Taste and adjust any ingredients as needed. Remove from the food processor and set aside.
For the sandwich:
- Spread the asparagus pesto onto one slice of bread and top with the cucumbers, fennel, tomato slices, carrot ribbons, and sprouts. Top the other slice of toasted bread with the avocado slices and place on top of the other side.
- Slice and serve with your fave creamy balsamic dressing, or oil and vinegar or some hummus. Alternatively, you can spread the dressing or hummus on the second slice of toast before placing on top of the other side of the sandwich.
More fabulous asparagus pesto recipes to check out:
- Asparagus Pesto with Pasta from Simply Recipes
- Cheesy Asparagus Pesto Pasta from Just A Taste
- Creamy Salmon Asparagus Pesto Bowties from NeighborFood
- Spaghetti with Asparagus Pesto and Walnuts
Okay, so while I’m super excited about the asparagus pesto because it looks absolutely delicious, I’m kind of more excited about that ice cream you mentioned. The name is hilarious and the flavor amazing. I would be mad if you hadn’t eaten it!
But yeah, this pesto is super fun, especially on a sandwich. A great prelude to ice cream!
Thanks so much, Mir!!!
Now this looks like my kind of sandwich! I love the asparagus pesto on here, Alice! I’m kind of craving this for breakfast right now. Sounds so delicious!
I’m loving this asparagus pesto! I think I could eat that straight up with a spoon. Actually, I’m imagining that pesto spread over a perfectly toasted everything bagel. Yup, I need to make that happen. This sandwich looks incredible though…perfect lunchtime creation! And then I’ll need some ice cream, of course. 🙂
This is absolutely my kind of sandwich! It looks amazing and I love how many veggies you jam packed in here! The carrot ribbons are so pretty and the asparagus pesto sounds delicious! Such a great idea! I second what Gayle says, I want this for breakfast!
I just love this wonderful health kick you are on right now! It is seriously so fantastic. I need to follow suit seriously. Maybe I need to start training for a simple 5k (so not simple though)?
Hey Alice!
Thanks for sharing such wonderful Healthy Breakfast recipe. It’s one of the easiest recipes I found so far. Will definitely try it 🙂
Thank you, Aga! Hope you like the asparagus pesto!! It’s so good!!
This sandwich looks awesome and I can’t stop looking at it! Love the amount of veggies and freshness! Will create the perfect balance, after some indulgent dessert or ice cream 🙂
The carrot ribbons really are quite pretty. This looks like a lovely springtime sandwich – the more veggies, the merrier!
I could eat this every day of my life! I love asparagus and have never made pesto out of it. Those shredded carrots, sprouts, cucumber…all of it is looking so fresh and delicious!
This sandwich looks divine! I love the sound of the asparagus pesto! YUM! 😀
I am LOVING this asparagus obsession of yours, Alice! I always do the boring roasted or stir-fried asparagus, and I’m ready to expand my horizons. This pesto sounds awesome! And I want to try that This $&@! Just Got Serious flavor now!
Asparagus pesto?! That is such a great idea! This sandwich looks so flavorful and healthy.
Wait – asparagus pesto??? Say What?!?!?! I am so totally intrigued!!! And so totally HUNGRY!!! What a fabulous looking sandwich!
you need to try this!!! 🙂
I am so roasting the asparagus for my next batch of asparagus pesto! Great sandwich to use it in!
This is so creative, Alice. I love it! I probably have asparagus running through my veins now too!! Ha ha!
I’m pretty sure that I have asparagus running through my veins at this point too. Cant. Get. Enough! And leave it to you to make a vegan sandwich that looks this fantastic – my mouth is watering!
That pesto, Alice! I love sandwiches like these: so simple but perfect for a quick lunch! I love everything about this! Pinning for later!
Love this bright and crunchy sandwich Alice! Wish I’d had one for lunch!!!
What a terrific idea for asparagus – very tasty looking sandwich!
Thank you so much, Kristi!! Hope you try it! 🙂
I’m buying bunch after bunch of asparagus and I can’t stop! I missed it so much. 🙂 This pesto might make it to a sandwich, or I might just eat it out of the bowl with a spoon. Either way, I’d be a happy camper! 🙂
So, so creative, Alice! Sounds so fresh and delicious!
Loving that asparagus pesto!! This looks like such a good power lunch – I need to try it! Pinned.
Looks so divine! Those big chunky pieces of avocado and I’m completely with you on the carrot ribbons! Beautiful. Now I know exactly what I’m going to do with the 4 lb. bag of asparagus I bought at Costco yesterday! Lovely, lovely!
That sandwich looks so yummy and hearty! Lovin’ all the veggies!! 🙂
Now THIS is a sandwich!
I love the idea of asparagus pesto – genius! What a healthy sandwich – love everything you layered in here. Pinned 🙂
We are big asparagus lovers at our house! I LOVEEE that you made a pesto out of it! This sandwich is a keeper! Pinned!
This has got to be one of the prettiest sandwiches ever, Alice! I am hopping onto that carrot ribbon bandwagon with you, so cool 🙂 And hello…asparagus pesto!? Sounds/looks amazing!
Alice, I can tell this is my favorite vegan sandwich! I love your asparagus pesto idea on a sandwich and your friend is so blessed to have you! Hope she’s recovering well.
wow I love this Alice! Genius idea to make asparagus pesto, I swear I eat a sandwich like this for lunch everyday! Yum!
That beautiful sandwich totally inspired me to try my very first asparagus pesto! Looks SOOOO good! I love asparagus yet haven’t had it in pesto form… I’ll make the same sandwich too, it looks amazing. <3 <3 <3
You’ve totally nailed it Alice. Check out that pesto! Who ever would have thought of that? you totally rock!!
Is it possible for a totally healthy sandwich to look so decadent? I think you achieved it! Love everything about it – especially the asparagus pesto.
Asparagus PESTO?! Hold on. Rewind! How come I’ve never heard of this portion of heaven?! Obsessing here. My gosh….this sandwich is just full of all kinds of healthy goodness! And it looks positively droolworthy. 😉
This is probably my dream sandwich and I love the asparagus pesto!
I am a total veggie lover and I definitely need to try this! It sounds amazing with balsamic. And ps- those ice cream calories are completely cancelled out by a lunch like this 😉
Hahha you do have asparagus in the vein!! And nothing wrong with a little ice cream party with friends…especially when lunch the next day is this power sandwich! I need all the nutrients in this!
Yum!!! Asparagus pesto!! So creative Alice!
This looks SOOO good! Never thought to make asparagus pesto. Been working on eating healthier lately sooo I may just have to give this a try. Very excited!
Wowza! This looks outrageously good. Always awesome to find new ways to keep sandwiches interesting. And thanks for stopping by my blog today, too. Adding yours to my feed reader IMMEDIATELY! Have a delicious weekend 🙂
Asparagus pesto?! You are one brilliant lady! xo