Roasted Portobello and Vegetable Club Sandwiches

• Recipe by Tom Valenti

From Tom Valenti, a 1990 Best New Chef, now at Ouest in New York City.

Ingredients

1. 2 large Portobello mushroom caps
2. 1/4 cup pure olive oil
3. Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4. 1/2 cup mayonnaise
5. 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
6. 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
7. 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
8. 12 slices whole-grain bread, lightly toasted
9. 1 avocado, sliced 1/4 inch thick
10. 3 ounces shredded Gruyère cheese
11. 1 cup packed arugula leaves
12. 1 small European cucumber, very thinly sliced crosswise
13. 2 cups packed alfalfa sprouts

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°. Place the mushrooms on a rimmed baking sheet. Brush both sides of the mushrooms with the olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Roast the mushrooms for 15 minutes, or until tender and browned. Let cool, then thinly slice.
2. In a bowl, blend the mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice and cayenne. Season this aioli with salt and black pepper.
3. Lay 4 slices of the toast on a work surface and spread them with aioli. Top with the sliced avocado and the shredded Gruyère. Spread 4 slices of toast on both sides with aioli and set on the sandwiches. Top with the arugula, cucumber, sliced Portobellos and sprouts. Cover with the remaining toast, cut the sandwiches in half and serve.