On a baking tray, place one red pepper and put it in the heated oven
Let it roast for about 15-20 minutes. Rotate it at about the 7 minute mark and remove when all sides have charred black.
Remove from the oven and let it cool. Set the oven to 450 degrees.
While the red pepper is roasting, prepare the arugula pesto spread
When the red pepper has cooled to the touch, remove the charred skin using a tea towel
Cut the pepper into half and de-seed it, then cut it into julienne
Take a mozzarella ball and slice it into thin pieces.
Take 4 slices of Italian bread and spread the pesto on one side.
Take one slice and with the arugula pesto side up and layer with the red pepper first.
Use a brush and lightly brush the top of the red pepper with 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar.
Add the Mozzarella slices and close the with another bread slice. The pesto side should be touching the mozzarella
Take a skillet that can also be put in the oven and heat it on the stove top at medium heat
Lightly spray with butter spray and gently place the sandwich on it
Cook on each side for about 2-4 minutes on medium heat. It should be slightly browned when you flip it over.
Place the skillet with the sandwich in the oven for about 5-7 minutes.
You will start to hear the cheese crackling its ready to eat
Remove from the oven and use a spatula to plate it.
Serve this fresh Mozzarella Cheese Sandwich immediately
To Make The Arugula Pesto Spread
In a food processor, add 1/2 cup of split cashews. Use unsalted cashews which are easy to find in Indian grocery stores or Warehouse stores
Add 2 tsp of nutritional yeast and process on low speed until it is roughly chopped
For this recipe, I used 2 cups of arugula. However, I added it to the food processor in 4 portion. Once each portion was partially processed, add the next batch.
After adding the last portion of the arugula, add 1 tsp of salt, 2 Tbsp of extra virgin olive oil and 1 Thai chili. Blend everything until it is smooth.
Transfer to a glass bottle and store. It will stay refrigerated for about 2 weeks
Notes
Nutrition Info is approximateThe air on the inside of the red pepper is being pushed out, so, don't be surprised if it collapses on itself.