Update: Vegetarian Reubens

It's been a really long time since I've posted this fan favorite. Like 3 years long. It's become a bit of a celebrity sandwich around town because vegetarians and carnivores alike can rejoice in all the deliciousness.

Go make it this week to cheer you up if you live in the cold. If you live somewhere warm (like me), just enjoy it and be happy. This is the updated, one pan version, of one of my favorite recipes of all time.

Vegetarian Reuben
ingredients for 2 sandwiches

~ 20 cremini mushrooms (cleaned and sliced)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1/4 head red cabbage (rough chop)
2 tbsp prepared horseradish
3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
4 slices Swiss cheese
4 slices rye bread
4 tbsp relish mayo (recipe below)
4 pats soft butter
salt and pepper
olive oil

for the relish mayo
3 tbsp mayonnaise
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp dill relish

Make the mayo first to let the flavors combine as everything else cooks. Combine all 3 ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.

In a large, heavy pan or cast iron skillet, heat olive oil (and some butter if you're feeling crazy) over medium heat. Add garlic, mushrooms and a few cranks of pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes and add a dash of salt when mushrooms are brown. Cook for another 3 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.

Add some more olive oil to the pan, and keep heat at medium. Add cabbage with some salt and pepper. Let cook for 3-4 minutes. Add horseradish and vinegar and let cook down for another 5 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.

Sandwich assembly time. Let's focus on 1 sandwich at a time to make instructions easy.

Lay 2 pieces of bread down and butter one side of each. Flip them over and add a layer of mayo. To one slice of bread on top of the mayp, add a pile of mushrooms, a slice of cheese, a heap of cabbage, another slice of cheese, and cover (butter side up) with the other piece of bread. Repeat for the second sandwich.

Using the same pan as before, keep heat at medium. Drop the sandwich in and let one side cook until brown, about 4 minutes. Flip and cook the other side for another 4 minutes. Watch heat to make sure the bread doesn't burn. Don't worry if it falls apart a little while you're cooking it. Just eat the cheesy nuggets that fall out the sides. And that's it.

Make some for your friends, for Heaven's sake. They will love you.