loose grip on my club, tight grip on my Pesto Crunch Sandwich

a deeper look into golf and tofu deli meat

ultimate pesto crunch sandwich

I went to Virginia last weekend. The only reason I decided to go was because I knew I’d make myself a BANGING car ride sandwich (aka the best kind of sandwich). That’s terribly insensitive since I was visiting my boyfriend’s mom and grandmother but it’s a good hook and they don’t read this letter. Actually, the only reason I travel anywhere is for the food I prep — which, for reasons unbeknownst to me, takes up an entire day.

If you remember our trip to Paris last year, we spent crucial hours charring corn for a chipotle ranch pasta salad instead of packing. Hence why there are minimal photos of me — my outfits were trash.

A similar experience happened this time around when I had to push back the time of departure to Virginia because my tofu deli meat needed time to marinate!!! We ended up hitting the most traffic in the history of someone driving from Long Island to VA (a fact that is felt not researched). Was it worth it? Absolutely. Ask my boyfriend and he might have a different answer — but he doesn’t run this sh*t, I DO!

What golf (and my sandwich) taught me about surrender

an amazing car ride sandwich and someone about to chunk the ball

Once I arrived in Virginia — no sign the sandwich had ever even existed — it was time to tackle what I hoped it had fueled me for: 18 holes of golf.

Did I think we were playing 9? Yes.
Did I duff the ball almost every time despite thinking I had advanced past that? Also yes.
Was it 100 degrees with swarms of bugs attacking my face and dive-bombing into my eye? Unfortunately, yes.
Did I want to cry? Absolutely.

All I could do was keep swinging and try to enjoy the present moment, relinquishing any need to control the outcome (because I literally couldn’t).

Out of the hundreds of reels I get sent from my dad — he’s supposed to be working on filtering them, but it’s looking like his phone may soon be taken away — one actually stuck with me. It was about swimming.

The point of the video was that life is like swimming: when you flail and grasp at the water, you sink. But when you stop panicking and relax, you float. That’s how you achieve peace and happiness — release your grip and surrender to the moment.

I was gripping my golf club like Arthur, overthinking every aspect of my swing, when I could’ve just… floated. Let it be bad. I probably would’ve had a better chance of correcting it. And if not? Who cares. (My phrase of the year!)

Not every experience needs to be controlled and optimized. It doesn’t have to meet your expectations to be valuable. Honestly, that’s where most of the suffering comes from: resisting how things are because of how we think they should be. Did I write all this just to make myself feel better about the underlying fact that I suck? Maybe, but it’s working!

Quotes from the outing from people resisting the present moment:

• “It’s not enjoyable to play with someone who is cursing all the time.”

• “Can you try to have fun?”

• “Let’s get this over with.”

• “How can something be fun yet the most miserable thing you do.”

andddd many, many death threats were made at the ball.

Looking back, the real mistake wasn’t my grip — it was thinking I could survive 18 holes without a sandwich. Should have brought 2!! Lesson learned.

Ultimate Car Ride Sandwich

So let’s get back to something I’m actually good at — deli meat. As a mostly plant-based girl, I miss the convenience of ordering a classic turkey sandwich at the deli. But what is life without a challenge?! (probably enjoyable). Hence: the creation of tofu deli meat. And damn, it is good.

It’s a simple process: press, marinate, bake. The result is savory, crispy-edged slices that stack perfectly onto a fat sandwich. I ate mine while cruising through the Blue Ridge Mountains and it was easily the highlight of my month. Despite everything I just said about not grasping at life, here I am trying to recreate that exact experience.

Luckily, we all benefit, because now you have the recipe for this Pesto Crunch Sandwich — soft white bread, sharp vegan cheddar slathered with pesto, a stack of tofu deli meat, crunchy kettle-cooked chips, seasoned tomato, shredded romaine, spicy pickles, and a smear of mayo to bring it all home (john b).

Top 5 sandwiches I’ve ever had. Especially when paired with a blueberry lemonade spritz. COME ON. Read on for both recipes.

a moment for the layers

Pesto Crunch Sandwiches

(makes 2)

Tofu Deli Meat:

• 1 block extra firm tofu (not vacuum packed)

• 1 tablespoon no-chicken bouillon (Better than Bouillon)

• 1/2 cup water

• 2 teaspoons tamari or soy sauce

• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard

• 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

• Black pepper, to taste

For the Sandwiches:

• 4 slices white or sourdough bread (we used Dave’s Killer Bread)

• 4 slices vegan cheddar (we used Violife)

• Vegan pesto (Trader Joe’s works great)

• Tofu deli meat (see above)

• Kettle-cooked chips (we love TJ’s Salt & Pepper Ridge Cut)

• 1 heirloom tomato, thinly sliced

• Romaine lettuce, shredded

• Spicy pickles (Bubbies are elite)

• Vegan mayo

Method:

1. Press & marinate the tofu: Press for 15–30 mins. Slice thinly. Whisk marinade ingredients and pour over tofu in a container. Let sit at least 1 hour.

2. Bake: Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Lay out tofu slices, spray with avocado oil, and bake 20 mins — flipping halfway and spraying again.

3. Assemble sandwiches: Layer bread, cheddar, pesto, tofu, crushed chips, tomato, romaine, pickles, and a mayo-smeared top slice. Repeat for sandwich #2.

Crazy enough, there are now actual perks to being a paid subscriber(!!) The first one? Access to the recipe for this Blueberry Lemonade Spritz — which must be consumed with the sandwich if you want this lunch to change your life (no pressure).

It’s fruity, subtly sweet, and a little bubbly. The perfect afternoon refresher. And dare I say, I look forward to it more than my morning coffee?! Someone check on me.

the one and only SPRITZ of the summer