Pear Arugula & Smoked Vegan Cheese Sandwich

Who says a sandwich has to be just meat and bread. You will be very surprised just how
great fruit can taste with veggies and other non conventional ingredients. Feel free to experiment. It's food, it should be fun.

Bread (I used Whole Wheat with Cranberry and Flax Seed)

Figs (several dried figs, just cover with water, soak overnight)

Olive Oil

Onion (sliced thin)

Pear (sliced thin)

Cheese (sliced thin, I used Vegan Smoked Cheddar)

Arugula (washed and dry

Mustard (whole grain is awesome)

1. Toast or grill your bread. Blend figs in small amount of soaking water until smooth. While blending on low speed slowly add about 1/4 cup olive oil. Saute onions in 1-2 Tbs olive oil until golden and caramelized.

2. Put a nice smear of this fig spread on one slice of toasted bread. Then add a layer of caramelized Onions, then sliced Pear, then Cheese. Place under broiler until cheese is melted. Remove from broiler. Top with large mound of Arugula.

3. On second slice of toasted bread smear with mustard and place on top of Arugula. Slice sandwich in half, diagonally looks best. Now take a bite and savory. Try not to eat it all in one bit!

Serve this with a savory fall soup like Pumpkin Bisque.