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    You are here: Home / Entrees / Hot Garlicky Broccoli Rabe Sandwich with Smoky Tahini Cheese Sauce

    LAST UPDATED: January 27, 2022 • FIRST PUBLISHED: October 12, 2015

    Hot Garlicky Broccoli Rabe Sandwich with Smoky Tahini Cheese Sauce

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This toasty broccoli rabe sandwich is stuffed with spicy, garlicky greens and topped with smoky vegan tahini sauce.

    Hot Garlicky Broccoli Rabe Sandwich with Smoky Tahini Cheese Sauce

    My husband teases me about my tendency to appear at any time, any location in the house with random and unexpected food for sampling. It's true. He could be at the computer checking email and I'll shove a spoonful of soup into his face, or upstairs shaving and I'll appear with doughnuts. Hey, a food blogger needs a taste-tester, and don't get me wrong, he's happy to fill that role.

    It was a few weeks ago when I first made this sandwich, and I didn't even make it for the blog. I had some leftover broccoli rabe from another recipe (forthcoming!) and I was hungry, but not quite hungry enough to finish a whole sandwich myself, so I interrupted whatever it was he was up to at the time to push half a sandwich on him. I knew within two minutes or so, based on his enthusiasm for this delicious sandwich, that it might need to be remade and photographed for the blog. A few minutes later I finally got around to tasting my own half of the sandwich and knew this had to happen.

    Hot Garlicky Broccoli Rabe Sandwich with Smoky Tahini Cheese Sauce

    This sucker was good. If you like broccoli rabe, make this. (And if you don't like broccoli rabe, have you tried the stuff?) It's juicy, garlicky, hot and packed with all kinds of flavor.

    I realized at some point after making and eating this that I may have subconsciously recreated a similar tasting sandwich I'd gotten years ago in Philly that was made with spinach and provolone cheese. That was an Italian Market deli sandwich, and it was cold, which is fine (and I'm sure this sammie would be good cold too), but when it's October and you have a chance to eat your garlicky greens hot off the skillet, you do just that.

    Hot Garlicky Broccoli Rabe Sandwich with Smoky Tahini Cheese Sauce

    This sandwich is also (perhaps optionally) hot in the spicy sense. Interestingly enough, for the first non-blog version I got a cherry pepper that was pretty potent, and for the second one, not so much. Lesson: always keep hot sauce on hand for such instances. Or just skip the pepper and spice it up with as much sauce as you'd like.

    Hot Garlicky Broccoli Rabe Sandwich with Smoky Tahini Cheese Sauce
    Close Up of Two Halves of a Broccoli Rabe Sandwich on a Plate
    5 from 2 votes
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    Hot Garlicky Broccoli Rabe Sandwich with Smoky Tahini Cheese Sauce

    This toasty broccoli rabe sandwich is stuffed with spicy, garlicky greens and topped with smoky vegan tahini sauce.
    Course Sandwich
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes
    Servings 2
    Calories 393 kcal
    Author Alissa

    Ingredients

    For the Sautéed Broccoli Rabe

    • 1 large bunch broccoli rabe about 1 pound
    • 2 tbsp. olive oil
    • 2 garlic cloves minced
    • 1 cherry pepper or substitute your favorite hot pepper, finely chopped
    • 2-3 tsp. red wine vinegar
    • salt and pepper to taste

    For the Smoky Tahini Cheese Sauce

    • 1 tbsp. tahini
    • ½ tbsp. red wine vinegar
    • ½ tbsp. soy sauce or tamari
    • ½ tbsp. nutritional yeast flakes
    • ½ tsp. liquid smoke
    • about 1 tbsp. water

    For Serving

    • 2-6 inch sandwich rolls sliced open
    • hot sauce of choice optional

    Instructions

    Make the Sautéed Broccoli Rabe

    1. Remove any very thick stems from broccoli rabe. Coarsely chop the rest. Using whatever type of steaming apparatus you've got on hand, steam broccoli rabe until bright green and just wilted, about 3 minutes. (I love a microwave steamer for quick veggie-steaming jobs like this one. For those who are microwave-wary, a bamboo steamer works great too.)
    2. Place oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cherry pepper. Sauté 2 minutes. Add broccoli rabe and sauté about 3 minutes more, or until desired tenderness is reached. Remove from heat and season with red wine vinegar, salt and pepper.

    Make the Smoky Tahini Cheese Sauce

    1. Whisk all ingredients together in small bowl, using as much water as needed to reach desired consistency.

    Serve

    1. Stuff rolls with sautéed broccoli rabe and drizzle with tahini sauce and hot sauce, if using. Serve.
    Nutrition Facts
    Hot Garlicky Broccoli Rabe Sandwich with Smoky Tahini Cheese Sauce
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 393 Calories from Fat 185
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 20.6g32%
    Saturated Fat 3.1g16%
    Sodium 961mg40%
    Potassium 502mg14%
    Carbohydrates 43.4g14%
    Fiber 8.9g36%
    Sugar 4g4%
    Protein 14.9g30%
    Calcium 300mg30%
    Iron 7.6mg42%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    « Healthy(ish) Gluten-Free Oatmeal Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookies
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    About Alissa Saenz

    Hi, I'm Alissa! I'm a former attorney turned professional food blogger. I love creating vegan recipes with bold flavors! You can read more about me here.

    I'd love to connect with you on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Katie (The Muffin Myth) says

      October 12, 2015 at 3:46 pm

      Ho-lee this looks good! I'm not much for cold vegetables or salads these days, but a hot broccoli sandwich? This is calling my name! Thanks for the recipe, will be making this for sure.

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        October 15, 2015 at 10:01 pm

        Honestly, me neither. It got pretty chilly this week and my lunch salads just aren't doing it for me. I might be enjoying lots of hot veggie sandwiches this season. :)

        Reply
    2. Susannah (Lemon and Coconut) says

      October 14, 2015 at 8:49 am

      Oh Yes, this looks so good. I've never even thought of having a a kale sandwich and that tahini has totally sold it for me. Bring it on! :)

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        October 15, 2015 at 10:04 pm

        The tahini is the best part! When you pour it all over garlicky greens it really tastes pretty darn cheesy.

        Reply
    3. Caitlin says

      October 29, 2015 at 11:01 am

      This looks so good! Can't wait to try it! :)

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        October 29, 2015 at 10:53 pm

        Thanks Caitlin! I hope you love it as much as I did!

        Reply
    4. Beth says

      February 11, 2022 at 7:36 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious!!! ❤️

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Alissa! I'm a former attorney turned professional food blogger. I love creating vegan recipes with bold flavors!

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