Aloha my veggie friends! I am on my way home from my Hawaii today and the fabulous Julie from Running in a Skirt offered to co-host Meatless Monday with Tina today. Let’s show her lots of love!
Julie Wunder here from Running in a Skirt! I want to thank Deborah for handing her fabulous blog to me for the day and allowing me to co-host Meatless Monday with Tina.
I live in the beautiful mountains of Asheville, North Carolina (one of the coolest places EVER!) and am the former morning news Meteorologist for our local ABC station.
I left my high stress job almost a year ago, after I spent years fighting several health conditions brought on by my crazy hours and intense work environment (I got up at 2 AM for seven years!) I now blog and do freelance work on a full time basis and I could not be happier or healthier!
Running in a Skirt is about a lot more than running, and is really a lifestyle blog with a runner’s heart. I like to say, “I’m running through life in a skirt!” I post fitness ideas (including inspiration, hiking, running and workouts), mouthwatering new recipes (vegetarian and pescatarian,) exciting travel adventures (I’m just back from Brazil!) and everyday fashion. There is also all kinds of personal fun in the mix! I believe that everyone can lead healthier, more stylish life and my blog follows my personal journey to find that balance in life!
So now that you know a little more about me, let’s get to the business of why I am here… FOOD! Which is basically one of my favorite subjects to talk about!
How about a Grilled Vegetable Sandwich with homemade herbed goat cheese?
I figured if you are guest posting on a blog as fun as Deborah’s, it’s go big or go home.
All you do to make this sandwich masterpiece is mix the goat cheese and prep the veggies for the grill.
The trick to get the score marks is to put them on the grill and leave them there. If you move them around, it will still cook, but it will not look as pretty!
Finally stack the sandwich high and eat up!
Grilled Vegetable Sandwich with Herbed Goat Cheese
Serves 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
For the herbed goat cheese:
4 ounces goat cheese, removed from fridge and allowed to soften
1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
½ tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
For the sandwich:
8 thick slices of whole grain bread
6 ounces portobello mushroom caps, sliced
1 big red bell pepper, sliced into large pieces
1 zucchini, sliced into squares the size of the bread
½ tablespoon olive oil
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
½ cup baby spinach
Directions:
- Mix all ingredients for the goat cheese. This can be done ahead of time or just before you make the sandwiches.
- Lay the vegetables out on a cookie sheet and brush them with the olive oil. Season with the salt and pepper. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Heat grill to medium heat. Place vegetables on grill and don’t move them. Flip them after 2-3 minutes. The mushrooms and zucchini should be done in 4-5 minutes. The bell pepper should be done in 5-7 minutes. You want the vegetables to be tender, but not soggy.
- Stack the sandwich! Start with the baby spinach, then add the vegetables. Spread the goat cheese over the top piece of bread and add it to the top.
Have a wonderful day friends! Thanks again Deborah for letting me take over for the day and I hope to see some of you over at Running in a Skirt too!
Debbie @ Coach Debbie Runs says
I love grilled vegetable sandwiches! This sounds delicious!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Thanks so much Debbie! I do too. Great to see you here today and thanks for linking up!
Natalie says
Grilled portobello mushroom with red bell pepper and goat cheese?! YUM. This looks awesome!!
I am always looking for a fun new lunch idea. Also, love that it’s totally on the grill!
Thanks so much for guest hosting and I’m off to check out your blog! Happy Monday!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Hi Natalie! Nice to meet you! I love this for lunch or dinner in the summer. Thanks for stopping by.
Annmarie says
Looks AH-MAZING! 😉 Love me some goat cheese and veggies!!!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Me too! I say you can’t go wrong with those two!
Tina Muir says
Julie! This sounds amazing! I love veggie sandwiches, especially when they look like this! Thanks for being the cohost, I am sure you are going to do a WONNDERRFFUL job today 🙂
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Thank you Tina! You are the best! I was thrilled to be asked to co host 🙂
Meghan says
Lovely, lovely pictures! I love grilled veggies and goat cheese is a major food group in my opinion. 🙂 Thanks for guest posting and helping in the Meatless Monday link-up!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Thank you Megan! I’m still very very very much learning to use my camera, so I always appreciate the picture love!
I totally agree. I could eat this combo several days a week! It’s been so nice connecting the past few weeks.
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
I love an alternative grilled cheese. I have to make a sideline cheese, but I fill that sucker up! Great recipe Julie!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Yes! I’m sure we could make you a non cheese alternative! How about a nice avocado sauce?
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
This looks so good Julie! That bread too. Thanks for the recipe! Now if only my grill were working.
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Thanks so much Megan! I went a little cra cra with my bread slices. I couldn’t help myself…. 🙂
I hope your grill gets fixed soon!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Oh man! We’ve got to get that thing up and running!!!
Thanks for checking out the recipe!
Lisa @ RunWiki says
I love the flavor that grilling veggies brings out in them– that deep caramelly flavor and anything on a sandwich makes it better than if it were alone.
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
I agree! It’s such a simple thing that really brings out the flavor! So yummy!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
You could absolutly do feta! Or any other creamy cheese. Hummus or avocado would be a great vegan swap.
I hope you enjoy it!
Smitha @ www.runningwithsdmom.com says
I love grilled veggies! I am trying to get a little bit better about goat cheese because people love it but I am not quite there yet. Maybe feta for me instead?
Sarah says
It is so crazy how stress and life can have such an effect on our health. I LOVE grilled veggies! This looks so delicious and perfect!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
I agree! Stress was literally hurting me badly! It is so hard to keep it in check though!
Thanks for linking up and nice to meet ya!
Jess@hellotofit says
Woohoo, Julie! I love goat cheese. This looks delicious with the vegetables. Deborah, hope you have a safe flight back!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Thanks Jess! I thought you might like it!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
Wow the goat cheese spread is making me swoon!! And grilled veggies are perfect this time of the year! I love Ashevile, I’ve got to start spending more time on Julies blog! Thanks for sharing! Can’t wait to see your Hawaii recap Deborah, safe flying!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Thanks Sam! Asheville is one of the coolest places in the world! I feel blessed to live here. Hope to see you around 🙂
Kristy @Runaway Bridal Planner says
Looks great! I’ll have to go check out your blog Julie!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Thanks so much Kristi! See you over there!
Jenn says
If loving goat cheese is wrong, I never want to be right.
This looks phenomenal.
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
You speak #truth
Great to see you today!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says
This looks delicious!! I never have any creativity when it comes to healthy sandwiches…thanks for the inspiration!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Thanks Janelle! Hope you enjoy it!
Ange @ Cowgirl Runs says
Grilled veggies paired with goat cheese is one of my favourite things!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Me too Ange! So yummy! Great to see you today!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
Wow, that looks delish! Over the weekend, I enjoyed an herbed goat cheese pesto torte. The goat cheese was made fresh from the creamery’s own goats. So yummy!
I’ll check out your blog, too! 🙂
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
What? Fresh goat cheese sounds amazing! We have a local goat cheese farm in Asheville too. I need to go!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
woohoo for Julie! This looks SOOOO GOOOOD!!!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Thanks Nicole! You’re da bomb 🙂
Elle says
Looks very good. I love grilled veggies!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Thanks Elle! Me too!
Mary Beth Jackson says
great job! Delish! I love love goat cheese, what a fun summer sandwich! See you soon Deborah!!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Thanks MB! Hope you are having a good week!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says
Kudos to you for moving on from a job that caused health problems. Sometimes that’s definitely easier said than done.
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
It definitely was harder than this little summery! One of the toughest decisions of my life! But I’m glad I did it. The difference is daylight and dark!
Nice to see you today! I minored in dance in college 🙂
jill conyers says
Grilled veggie sandwiches are one of the best recipes ever. This looks delicious Julie.
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
I agree! Thanks Jill!
Toni @runninglovingliving says
I love grilled veggies and bread! Put them together in a sandwich like this and I am in love!
Akaleistar says
Wow, that sandwich looks delicious!
Deborah Brooks says
Julie did a great job hosting for me! It does look delish!
Smitha @ FauxRunner ... No More says
I just came over to look over some old recipes because I need to prep lunch for tomorrow! I havent tried goat cheese but the rest of the ingredients look yumm!
Deborah Brooks says
Well I hope you found something good! Send a pic if you make any of the recipes. 🙂 Have a great day