Honestly, I wanted this week’s Meatless Monday recipe to be a grilling recipe. I mean, it was so nice this weekend and it just seems like the timing is right.

But Mother Nature apparently doesn’t agree with me. There’s a good chance of rain this afternoon and the last thing I want you to do is blame me for getting you all excited to grill only to be disappointed with a deluge.

Therefore, in my hope for a lack of said deluge, I figured I’d play it safe with a recipe that can be made in the oven. Of course, this means it probably won’t rain. It also means that I can save a grill-ready recipe for next Monday, Memorial Day. Win-win, if you ask me.

So, here’s a recipe that would go well with grilled veggies should Mother Nature decide to take a rain check on the rain. It’s got tempeh in it for all you protein nuts, and apples and honey (use local!) for those of you who like something sweet. Plus, the oven does all the work (awesome).

Enjoy!

Apple and Tempeh Sandwiches

1 (8-ounce) package tempeh, halved lengthwise, then crosswise to make 4 squares

1 small Fuji, Braeburn or Gala apple, cored and thinly sliced

1/2 cup apple juice

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons tamari

1 1/2 teaspoons honey

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

Black pepper to taste

4 slices whole wheat sandwich bread

Honey mustard

4 large leaves green leaf lettuce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange tempeh in an 8-inch-square baking dish in a single layer. Scatter apple slices over the top; set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together juice, oil, vinegar, tamari, honey, cumin and pepper, then pour the mixture over the tempeh and apples. Bake until most of the liquid is absorbed, tempeh is golden brown around the edges and apples are soft and caramelized, 40 to 45 minutes. Set aside to let tempeh cool slightly.

Spread one side of each slice of bread with a bit of honey mustard then top with a piece of lettuce and a piece of tempeh, with the baked apples arranged over the top. Serves 4.

— Recipe from www.wholefoodsmarket.com.