Veggie Smash Sliders with Slaw

Instructions

1. Prepare the Vegetables

   10 min hands-on

   • Peel and thinly slice the onions, reserving half for later.
   • Dice the tomatoes finely, reserving 4 slices for topping.
   • Chop the celery into chunky diagonal pieces.
   • Finely shred the cabbage.

2. Toast the Sesame Seeds

   3 min hands-on

   • Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat until golden and aromatic, stirring constantly.
   • Remove from heat and set aside.

3. Make the Ginger-Sesame Slaw

   3 min hands-on5 min waiting

   • Combine shredded cabbage, half the sliced onion, diced tomatoes, and celery in a large bowl.
   • Lightly crush half of the toasted sesame seeds.
   • Mix mayonnaise with a splash of pickled ginger brine and crushed sesame seeds in a small bowl.
   • Pour dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss to coat. Set aside.

4. Prepare the Focaccia

   4 min hands-on

   • Slice focaccia into slider-sized portions and cut each in half horizontally.
   • Toast cut sides in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden and crisp.

5. Cook the Onions

   2 min hands-on

   • Heat a skillet over high heat with half the olive oil.
   • Cook reserved sliced onions for 1–2 minutes until charred and caramelized. Keep warm.

6. Cook the Vegetarian Fillets

   5 min hands-on

   • In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and cook fillets on medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
   • Season fillets with salt and black pepper during cooking.

7. Assemble the Sliders

   3 min hands-on

   • Spread mayonnaise on the bottom halves of toasted focaccia.
   • Place a vegetarian fillet on each bottom half.
   • Add a slice of tomato, fresh basil leaves, caramelized onions, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
   • Top with chopped pickled ginger and cover with focaccia tops.

8. Serve

   1 min hands-on

   • Serve sliders warm with a portion of ginger-sesame slaw on the side.
   • Cooking tips:
   • Ensure the skillet is hot when cooking the onions and fillets to achieve proper caramelization and crispy texture.
   • Use fresh basil for the best flavor; Thai basil can add a slightly spicy, anise-like note, complementing the umami profile.
   • Toasting the sesame seeds enhances their nutty flavor, so don’t skip this step.
   • Adjust the amount of pickled ginger to your taste preference; it adds a zesty, sweet-tangy contrast to the rich flavors.