Flashback From 'Nam

You know how some recipes never make it off the to-do list? Well, I was certain the Vietnamese Seitan Baguette with Savory Broth Dip from the Veganomicon would be one of those. However, as you can see in the picture below, it miraculously moved from the wish list to my plate.

Stacked with VCon's Seitan Cutlets, cucumber slices, red onion, and cilantro sprigs, this was sandwich whisked me away to Vietnam ... or well, what I imagine Vietnam is like anyway. Of course, my only knowledge of 'Nam comes from the smelly-fish markets and blighted projects of Memphis' Little Vietnam neighborhood a few blocks away from my house. I'm sure the actual country is much nicer, as was the sandwich.

Each bite was first dipped into this Asian-inspired au jus sauce, made with a base of veggie broth and soy sauce and seasoned with all kinds of spicy goodness.

As an omni kid, my favorite sandwich was the French dip roast beef sub from Rax (a now-defunct roast beef chain, kinda like Arby's). And this really brought back memories of my chubby seven-year-old self sopping flavorful juice into lightly toasted bread and "meat."

Here's the whole plate for full effect:

I served the sandwich with Garden of Eatin' Blue Corn Tortilla Chips and Trader Joe's Corn and Chile Tomato-less Salsa (not pictured). I can say with certainty that this meal has moved from an unlikely dinner contender to heavy rotation.

By the way, I was given the Butterfly Blog award by two awesome fellow bloggers — Agnes of Agnes' World of Vegan Pleasures and Jen of That Pain in the Ass Vegan.

Thanks guys! It means a lot that ya'll thought about me! Now I'm supposed to pass the award on to a few others. There are plenty of folks who deserve it, but some of them have already received the award once or twice. So I'm going to do my best to try not to repeat award winners, but if do, sorry! Okay, drum roll please ... the winners of the Butterfly Blog Award are:

1) Shelby from La Belle Vegan
2) Jessy from Happy Vegan Face
3) Jess of Get Sconed
4) Theresa of The Tropical Vegan
5) Cyn at What the Hell Does Pink-Haired Girl Eat?
6) Chelsea from Ramblings from a Native Vegan Mecca Girl