Fri Jan 17 04:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Vegan Bourdain: Beloved Chef’s Sandwich Gets Plant-Based Makeover

**New York, NY** – Anthony Bourdain, the celebrated chef and travel writer known for his adventurous palate, famously declared vegans “the enemy of everything good and decent.” However, in a testament to the evolving culinary landscape, a vegan version of his iconic five-ingredient mortadella sandwich is now gaining popularity.

While only the bread and Dijon mustard in Bourdain’s original recipe are inherently vegan, simple substitutions easily adapt the sandwich to a plant-based diet. Plant-based mayonnaise, vegan provolone cheese slices (such as Violife), and a hearty vegetable like eggplant, avocado, or jackfruit can replace the traditional ingredients. Some recipes also incorporate bread and butter pickles and chives for added flavor.

For a more authentic mortadella substitute, a homemade vegan version is possible. This involves blending peanuts (or cashews/white beans for a nut-free option), beetroot, garlic, thyme, red peppers, and olives, then binding the mixture with agar powder. The result, while not a perfect replica, offers a surprisingly close approximation of the emulsified Italian sausage.

This vegan adaptation demonstrates the increasing accessibility of meat-free alternatives and the creative potential within plant-based cuisine. While Bourdain might have raised an eyebrow, the spirit of culinary exploration continues, making his beloved sandwich enjoyable for a wider audience.

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