It’s my birthday today! Are you guys big on celebrating your birthday? For as long as I remember, my birthday has been an obsession of mine. It’s probably just a bit (okay, a lot) egotistical, but I just love the idea of a day celebrating me. I like planning elaborate themed parties with tons of friends (DIY grilled cheese party anyone?), but I also love the flip side of that – spending a day celebrating, just me and my boo.
No matter what I end up doing, there is one absolute must: eat ALL the things. It’s the one day you shouldn’t hold back. I know, I know, veggie sandwiches aren’t what one usually thinks of when they’re thinking about birthday eats, but when I saw this glorious picture of the ultimate veggie sandwich on Instagram, it had to be mine. I’m all about veggie sandwiches (and pizzas too, to be honest). I love the the different textures, the crunch, and the freshness.
This sandwich was truly epic – perfect for a pre-birthday treat!
The Ultimate Veggie Sandwich Recipe
makes 1 sandwich
- 2 slices bread of choice (I used multigrain)
- mayo and mustard, to taste
- 6 leaves romaine lettuce
- 1 small carrot
- 1/2 small cucumber
- salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 1/8 head red cabbage
- 1 avocado
- handful of sprouts
- 3 slices tomato
- thin slices red onion
Start off by prepping your vegetables. Trip the lettuce leaves to the size of your bread. Julienne or shred the carrot, thinly slice the cucumber and cabbage. Pit and peel the avocado and thickly slice. Toast the bread and let cool (so it doesn’t get soggy). Spread on mayo and mustard to taste and build your sandwich: 1/2 of the lettuce leaves, carrots, cucumber, salt and pepper, cabbage, avocado, sprouts, tomato, onion, then the remaining lettuce and top slice of bread. Wrap tightly in parchment paper or wax paper and slice in half. Enjoy immediately!
i put a candle in it, because birthday :)
Giveaway: I hope you guys like chopping vegetables (and everything else) because for my annual birthday giveaway, I’m giving away a shiny sharp Shun Nakiri knife and a Walnut Boos Block Cutting Board from cuttingboard.com. I absolutely LOVE my nakiri and there’s nothing better than chopping and slicing on a beautiful wood cutting board.
To Enter: Leave a comment below with your favorite birthday memory. I want to hear ALL the details! I’ll randomly choose a winner and notify them through email. Open to US residents only. (Sorry international friends!) Also, if you’d like some extra entries (one per follow), follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest (and let me know in your comment). Contest ends September 17th at 12pm PST. Good luck!
Update: Congrats Willow! Get ready to get your knife skills on! Keep an eye out for an email :)
Having my 6th birthday at Chuck E. Cheeses! Pizza, candy, games, prizes, it was perfect for my 6 year old self.
making myself THE momofuku birthday cake this year – a couple days in the kitchen was so worth it! and it was so pretty!
I love a high pile veggie sandwich!! My favorite birthday memory is from 2011. My husband and I had just moved to LA from Minnesota – he started grad school and I started a new job. Not being used to traffic, I was super late to dinner. It was a very mellow birthday, but there’s something about starting new chapters and being in unfamiliar places on your birthday that make you appreciate simple moments.
That sandwich looks amazing! My son’s birthday was yesterday and I loved how happy he was with his stuffed platypus!
Following you on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook :-)
Happy Birthday! My favorite birthday memory is from when I was a little girl I had a “cupcake” birthday party with cupcake dolls (http://bit.ly/1Qrdr4V). There were stickers and special songs and, of course, cupcakes. It’s one of my most vivid birthday parties from when I was younger! (Also, I follow you on Twitter and Instagram (@copykelly))
This vegetarian loves the look of this sandwich. My favourite birthday memory is my 30th – big joint party (for hubby’s bday too) loads of kids, everyone dressed up – and I was pregnant with much wanted number two bebe, just didn’t know it quite yet. Brilliant. Also following you on IG.
One of my most memorable birthdays was a couple years ago in college. Some of my friends wanted to surprise me at midnight, so they asked my boyfriend to keep me busy until then so they could decorate my apartment. However, my boyfriend, being the most punctual person I know, planned all our activities so well that we actually finished early and I got back to my apartment 15 minutes before midnight. I unlocked and opened the door to all my friends in the process of hanging up a huge “happy birthday!” sign. There was a lot of scampering and turning off of lights, and they made me go outside and come back in so I could be surprised properly. It was kindof a fail, but it was hilarious! Definitely one for the books.
Happy birthday! Thanks for the giveaway and for feeding my eyes with beautiful food as always. I also follow you on Instagram!
happy birthday, stephanie! hope it’s a really great one. and holy jesus fuck, this sandwich! i’d love to chop stuff with a victory knife and board!
i don’t generally party it up on my birthdays, for whatever reasons, but one really distinct memory for me is a couple days or so before probably my 7th birthday, i went with my family to a game store and came across a gumby doll. my own gumby doll had a broken arm (his wire was sticking out, compound fracture style-OUCH) so my mom suggested i could get a new one for my birthday, if i wanted! but i am the most indecisive person on the planet, so i couldn’t decide. we decided not to get it then, and then on my actual birthday i announced that i would like to go back to the store and get the new gumby. we went there and he was gone. i was kind of sad, but i really loved taking care of my broke-ass arm gumby, so it all worked out. but that story sticks with me and reminds me to be more proactive in my decision making so i don’t lose out on opportunities. ha!
When I turned 21 it was the day before school started so everyone was back on campus and we had a party in our little on-campus apartment. It wasn’t anything big cause of classes the next day, but it was extra special because my best friend from grade school drove to school with me to celebrate- bearing in mind that it was a 10 hour drive. Now that’s a good friend!
Favorite Birthday memory: 20th birthday where my friends threw a party for me where all the guests made a dish they wanted me to try. I’m a baker and I’m frequently giving my friends food. So for that birthday, they wanted to feed me :)