Savor the Summer: Crafting the Ultimate Vegan Grilled Sandwich with La Brea Bakery and The Grill Dads

The sizzle of the grill, the aroma of smoky vegetables, and the promise of warm, crusty bread – it’s officially grilling season, and there’s no better way to kick it off than with a truly exceptional vegan grilled sandwich. I’m thrilled to share my latest culinary creation: a mouth-watering sandwich packed with garlicky, grilled veggie goodness, all built upon the foundation of exquisite artisan bread. This summer, I’ve teamed up with two powerhouses in the food world: the renowned La Brea Bakery and the legendary grilling maestros, Mark Anderson & Ryan Fey, collectively known as The Grill Dads. Get ready for a spectacular season of flavor, innovation, and unforgettable grilled delights!

The Legacy of La Brea Bakery: Artisan Bread for Every Occasion

My ongoing partnership with La Brea Bakery fills me with immense excitement and continuous inspiration, both as a home baker and as a dedicated consumer. I’ve previously shared my admiration for their commitment to quality (read more here), and their story is truly captivating. La Brea Bakery emerged from a genuine need in 1989. The pastry chefs at Campanile Restaurant in Los Angeles found themselves unable to source artisan bread that met their exacting standards for the restaurant. Rather than compromise, they embarked on a year-long quest to perfect their own recipe. Their dedication paid off, resulting in a bread with a beautifully caramelized, golden crust, a remarkably soft interior, and an appealing rustic appearance. This signature creation was so outstanding that it led to the opening of La Brea Bakery on La Brea Avenue, quickly becoming a beacon for bread lovers across the city.

Today, La Brea Bakery’s reputation as an exceptional purveyor and producer of high-quality breads is firmly established, with nationwide distribution allowing countless homes to enjoy their artisan creations. Their commitment to traditional baking methods combined with a passion for innovation ensures that every loaf, baguette, and roll delivers an authentic, satisfying experience.

Introducing La Brea Bakery’s Take & Bake French Baguette

For my exciting summer grilling campaign collaboration, I recently had the pleasure of working with La Brea Bakery’s Take & Bake Twin Pack French Baguette. These demi baguettes are an absolute revelation for home cooks and grilling enthusiasts alike. As with all La Brea Bakery products, these baguettes are non-GMO certified, completely vegan, and contain no artificial additives or preservatives. This dedication to natural, wholesome ingredients aligns perfectly with my philosophy of delicious, healthy eating. The Take & Bake format is genius, offering the convenience of freshly baked bread right in your own kitchen or, as you’ll discover, right on your grill!

Crafting the Ultimate Vegan Grilled Sandwich: Inspired by The Grill Dads

When developing my vegan sandwich recipe, I drew significant inspiration from The Grill Dads’ Super Duper Steak Sammy recipe. Their original creation is a testament to bold flavors and expert grilling techniques. For my plant-based version, I swapped out the flank steak for a vibrant array of grilled vegetables, ensuring a hearty, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying alternative. I packed my sandwich with tender grilled bell peppers, zucchini, and red onion, all seasoned to perfection. To elevate the freshness and nutritional value, I generously layered in homegrown microgreens, which also made a delightful side salad alongside creamy avocado slices and additional grilled corn kernels. The combination of textures—from the crisp microgreens to the tender veggies and the soft, yet crusty baguette—created a truly dynamic eating experience.

The Magic of Mojo de Ajo: A Flavorful Revelation

One of the most exciting discoveries during this culinary adventure was The Grill Dads’ incredible mojo de ajo sauce. This wasn’t just a sauce; it was a revelation! The process begins with whole garlic cloves gently simmering in olive oil within a pan placed directly on the grill. This slow, indirect heat allows the garlic to mellow and transform, becoming wonderfully golden and deeply aromatic without burning. Once perfectly cooked, these softened garlic cloves are then blended with a refreshing medley of orange, grapefruit, and lime juices. A dash of oregano, along with salt and pepper, brings all the flavors into perfect harmony, resulting in a smooth, tangy, and incredibly aromatic sauce. This mojo de ajo proved to be the quintessential companion, perfectly complementing both the robust flavors of the grilled vegetables and the wholesome, rustic appeal of the La Brea Bakery Take & Bake French Baguette. Each bite was a harmonious blend of citrus, garlic, and smoky goodness, making the sandwich truly unforgettable.

Why La Brea Bakery Breads Excel on the Grill

La Brea Bakery’s Take & Bake breads are absolutely ideal for grilling, and there’s a specific reason why. These breads are “parbaked,” meaning they are partially baked at the bakery and designed to finish cooking in your home oven or, in this case, on the grill. This parbaking process is key to their success on the grill. Unlike fully baked breads that can quickly dry out and become brittle when exposed to direct heat, parbaked breads retain their moisture beautifully. Finishing them on the grill allows the exterior to develop a perfect crispness and a delightful char, creating small pockets of texture and flavor. These charred pockets are not just delicious; they also ingeniously hold the vibrant mojo de ajo sauce, preventing it from making the bread soggy and ensuring that every drop of flavor is savored. The result is a fantastic blend of satisfying flavors and textures: a crusty exterior giving way to a soft, flavorful interior that stands up perfectly to all your fillings and sauces. Once you bite into one of these scrumptious grilled baguettes, you’ll understand why it’s the best choice for summer grilling and why you’ll want to use it again and again. It truly elevates any grilled meal.

Find Your Perfect Loaf and Join the Grilling Challenge!

Ready to experience the magic of La Brea Bakery Take & Bake breads for yourself? You can easily find them near you by using the convenient store locator on their website. But the excitement doesn’t stop there! The Grill Dads and La Brea Bakery are inviting grilling enthusiasts everywhere to participate in the ultimate challenge: The La Brea Bakery Grill Master Challenge! This is your chance to showcase your grilling prowess and creativity. Simply submit your original recipe featuring any La Brea Bakery Take & Bake bread on the La Brea Bakery website for a chance to win incredible prizes. Imagine winning bread for an entire year, a cutting-edge Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill, free groceries, a coveted Grill Dads cookbook, exclusive Grill Dads spice packs, and so much more! It’s an unparalleled opportunity for any grilling aficionado to win big and elevate their backyard cooking game. For complete details and to enter, make sure to visit: www.labreabakery.com.

As the grilling season unfolds, I’m eager to hear about your culinary adventures. What’s your go-to ingredient for summer grilling? Share your thoughts and favorite grilling tips in the comments below – let’s inspire each other to make this the most flavorful summer yet!