Open-Faced 'Bacon', Lettuce, and Fried Green Tomato Sandwiches

This is a fun variation on the BLT!

Cut 1 green tomato into 6 (1/4-inch) thick slices. Place the slices in a large bowl, and cover with hot water; let stand for 15 minutes, then drain and pat dry with paper towels. The original recipe didn't specify how hot the water should be, so I brought a tea kettle to a boil, let the water cool a minute or two, then poured it over the tomatoes, which seemed to work.

While the tomatoes stand, combine 1 tablespoon plain soy milk (such as Silk) and the equivalent of two eggs made with egg replacer (such as Ener-G) in a bowl. In a separate shallow dish, combine 3/4 cup yellow cornmeal with 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. black pepper.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Dip the tomato slices one at a time first in the soy milk mixture, then in the cornmeal mixture. Return to the soy milk mixture, then return to the cornmeal mixture.

Place all 6 tomato slices in the skillet and cook for 4 minutes on each side.

While the tomatoes cook, slice 5 vegan bacon slices (such as Light Life) in half, and heat in a skillet according to package directions (about 3 to 4 minutes on each side), until crisp.

Finally, combine 2 and 1/2 tablespoons vegan mayonnaise (I like the light canola mayo from Spectrum Foods) with 1/2 tsp. lemon juice, and 1/8 tsp. hot sauce (such as Hot Stuff from the Wizard). Divide the spread evenly among 3 (1 and 1/2-ounce) slices of toasted white bread - it works out to a little less than a tablespoon per bread slice. Any white bread will work, but just check ingredient lists for sneaky things like nonfat milk or honey! I actually forgot to toast the bread, but the sandwiches still tasted absolutely great.

On top of each bread slice, place one green lettuce leaf (such as Bibb or Boston lettuce) 3 bacon pieces, and 2 fried green tomatoes. Sprinkle each with 1 teaspoon chopped chives. You'll note that you have 1 bacon piece leftover, which I highly recommend nibbling on as you assemble the sandwiches!

Each sandwich is 390 calories.

Cost:
Bibb lettuce $2.49
vegan bacon $3.39