Vegetarian Reubens With Russian Dressing

Submitted by CookingLaura

"This exceptional sandwich originated at Penny Cluse Cafe in Burlington, Vermont. The spinach, mushroom and onion filling is so satisfying, you won't even miss the corned beef. Recipe courtesy EatingWell.com"

 

• Ready In: 20mins
• Ingredients: 12
• Yields: 2 Sandwiches
• Serves: 2

ingredients

• Russian dressing

• 2 tablespoons reduced-fat mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons ketchup
• 2 teaspoons chopped capers
• 1 teaspoon chopped pickles or 1 teaspoon relish

• Sandwiches

• 3 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 5 cups Baby Spinach
• fresh ground pepper
• 4 slices rye bread
• 1⁄2 cup shredded reduced-fat swiss cheese
• 1⁄2 cup sauerkraut

directions

1. Prepare Russian dressing: Whisk mayonnaise and ketchup in a small bowl until smooth. Stir in capers and pickle (or relish).
2. To prepare sandwiches: Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and mushrooms; cook, stirring often, until the onion is softened, 4 minutes. Add spinach and cook, stirring, until it has wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a plate.
3. Coat the pan with the remaining 1 teaspoon oil and return to medium heat. Add the bread; divide cheese equally among the slices. Divide sauerkraut between 2 slices and divide the spinach mixture between the other 2 slices; cook until the cheese has melted and the bread is golden brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer sandwich halves to a cutting board. Divide the dressing between the spinach halves. Carefully place the sauerkraut halves on top. Cut sandwiches in half and serve.

Reviews

[Watkinslady30]

I've been cutting out meat for health reasons and trying some new recipes out. I tried this with some baby portobella mushrooms and it's very good. I tucked in a few slices of corned beef for the guys, though. I don't think they realized how many vegetables were in their sandwich. The only bad thing about these is the amount of sodium is higher than I should be eating. But great for a treat once in awhile. Like Anne in Apex, I also left out the capers and used sliced Swiss cheese. They asked me to make them again in the future.

 

[Pismo]

I made these after I saw the recipe on the Eating Well website. I was a little skeptical that vegetarian reubens would be any good, but I was so wrong! I couldn't believe how delicious these were! The first time I made them I had to make up a second batch because my husband and I both wanted seconds! I have made them once or twice since then which is a huge compliment as I don't make very many things twice! Love these. Thanks!

 

[anne in apex]

We loved these!! I made them almost exactly to the recipe, except I left out the capers in the dressing. I also only had sliced swiss cheese, but I put it on the bread and ran it through the microwave briefly to melt it a bit before browning the bread in the pan. These sandwiches were filling and satisfying. I had enough of the vegetable filling left over for another sandwich for lunch. I didn't have any more dressing, so I just put on a squirt of ranch dressing. Not as good as the Russian dressing, but a decent substitute. Thanks for posting!!

 

[loof751]

This is a FANTASTIC sandwich! Just loved everything about this. I had a yellow onion on hand so used that instead of red. I also took a shortcut and just added some chopped capers to my favorite Marie's 1000island dressing (and loved that addition). Like another reviewer I had enough filling left for a third sandwich. Outstanding - thanks for sharing a keeper! Made for the Best of 2013 event, recommended by FLKeysJen

 

[Lucky in Bayview]

Yum...there's nothing I didn't love about this sandwich. I would say I loved it even more than a traditional rueben, just because I didn't have to feel guilty for eating it. Tons less fat, calories and sodium. Thank you, thank you for the posting a great recipe that'll let me enjoy my rueben in peace! lol