After hearing about the #TTLAChallenge and seeing the video of actress Tabitha Brown I had to give it a try. For those of you that haven’t heard, the Smoked TTLA sandwich was created by Dennis Horton as a vegan substitute for the BLT. Between the slices of ciabatta bread sandwich you will find tempeh, tomato, lettuce, and avocado with a vegan garlic aioli spread. It’s the new must try food option for vegans and the internet is going crazy about it-if you don’t believe me just google “Smoked TTLA.”
Unfortunately, it is only offered at select Whole Foods locations, so I suggest you call ahead and make sure your local store does have it before getting all the way there. Lucky for me there are a million and ten Whole Foods in New York City who do have the Smoked TTLA.
I went into this challenge THINKING I wouldn’t care for the tofu, because I definitely am a carnivore. While Brown is a vegan, she has been at it for 3 months, so I thought that she was just filling the void of the real deal BLT. However after the first bite I was pleasantly surprised. This sandwich has crazy flavor and I can see why she was ranting about how amazing it was. It indeed makes my soul want to cry out, and I was mad at myself for offering to share the other half with my friend.
Check out the Whole Foods website to find out if your local store offers the Smoked TTLA or follow their recipe guide to make your own at home.
Smoky TTLA Sandwich Recipe
- Start by spreading a generous serving of vegan garlic aioli over a slice of ciabatta bread. To create the spread, we begin with Hampton Creek’s Just Mayo and add in a little slow-roasted garlic and lemon juice.
- Get your hands on some Lightlife Organic Fakin’ Bacon Tempeh Strips, or even make your own tempeh bacon from slices of tempeh and a homemade marinade. Fry a few strips on the stove or bake them in the oven.
- Layer in tomato slices, lettuce and avocado. (Pickles optional but recommended!)
- Sprinkle on some salt and pepper, and you’re good to go.
- Snap a picture, share a video or just delight in this simple, fresh sandwich. (If you don’t post it to Instagram, did it even happen?!)
Arielle Dixon 