eat all the smith & deli sandwiches – #19, parmageddon
Day 19.
The schnitzel type sandwiches on the Deli menu were always low on my list because they are made with tempeh. I have a love-hate relationship with tempeh, mostly hate. Thinly sliced, well incinerated and super crispy it is a delight, anything other than that and I loathe it. When it isn’t crispy it has a kind of waxy texture that I don’t like. It reminds me of a brain to look at. Gross I know, but now I have got that off my chest you’ll understand my review of this sandwich.
I didn’t love the Parmageddon, and the reason I didn’t was solely because of the tempeh. The crispy crumb coating was great, the pesto, mozzarella and tomato sauce are always a winning combination and if it had been with something else like crumbed well cooked eggplant, tofu or mock meat I’d probably have loved it. But it had tempeh lurking in between that crispy crumb. Waxy, grey, walking dead, zombie tempeh. Shudder.
Otherwise a delicious sandwich. I ended up picking out my tempeh and eating the rest.
If you love tempeh, then ignore my tempeh bigotry and eat it. You’ll probably love it.
I had to do it for research for Vegan Mofo, but I think I might skip the other tempeh sandwiches. They scare me. And I’ll probably just rant against tempeh all over again.
Call me a wimp.
6/10
Smith & Deli
111 Moor St
Fitzroy,3065
I’m right with you there, a love-hate-mostly-hate relationship with tempeh where the only acceptable version is paper thin cremated bacon-style pieces in a frying pan. I’m laying off soy for a while but I want to try chickpea tempeh, I’m hoping it doesn’t taste and feel as rank! I don’t buy tempeh meals anywhere despite an awesome venue like Smith & Deli, because I know the tempeh will gross me out.
Incinerate, incinerate…(apologies to the daleks)
I made tempeh once and I bloody hated it so I’m with you there. And yes it does look like brains!
Shudder
I am always trying to love tempeh more as I know it is a better (read: less processed, NOT tastier) version of tofu. I am learning to like it – I mostly blend it up into things like sausage rolls though so I think it’s kind of cheating.
When I was in Indonesia I had a dish of mashed tempeh and tofu with spices steamed in a banana leaf. It was delicious.
You can’t imagine my relief at hearing about your dislike of tempeh! I’ve been feeling like some kind of Vegan freak because even though I’ve given it a good go, I just don’t like it.
Feeling so much better about myself….. 🙂
It is OK if you incinerate it beyond recognition.
You can’t really taste the tempeh in this roll, but I didn’t love the cheese and the overall flavours. A bit too sour for me but great crunch and attention to detail.
I can defintely taste it and DO NOT like tempeh! 🙂