Vegan Grilled Strawberries, Basil, And Cream Cheese Sandwiches

Not your average standard grilled cheese fare.

School is out for summer and the weather is gearing towards more sunny days, less rainy grey. 
That definitely calls for a grilled "cheese" kind of celebration! Lately, I have adored Daiya's utterly delicious Strawberry Cream Cheese Style Spread, laying it down on far more than vegan bagels and breakfast toast. It makes for amazing grilled strawberry sandwiches. Strawberry grilled cheese sandwiches? Oh yes. Sounds frightening, but actually not a bad combination. In fact, when I first made them, I couldn't believe how incredible they tasted. Plump, juicy strawberry slices surrounded by strawberry cream cheese spread and rustic crusty olive oily bread. Far better than imagined. Now it needed extra oomph- some pow wow to up the flavor profile. In this delicious winner, balsamic soaked strawberries take on basil and red onion goodness. An overly messy sandwich- strawberries ooze from the dripping cream cheesy explosion between two slices of crisp bread seasoned with Italian seasonings and garlic, this truly tastes like the joys of this season.
Warning: Will need plenty of napkins.

Vegan Grilled Strawberries, Basil, And Cream Cheese Sandwiches Ingredients and Preparation

8 slices whole wheat bread
olive oil
Italian seasonings
8-10 strawberries, thinly sliced
2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup Daiya Strawberry Cream Cheese Style Spread
red onion slices

Sit strawberries in balsamic vinegar for 10 minutes.

Warm up a skillet with olive oil.
Prepare one slice of bread with a thin layer of Daiya Strawberry Cream Cheese Style Spread.
Top bread with an even layer of basil leaves, strawberry slices, red onion, and another slice of bread.
Lay into the skillet, brushing other side with olive oil, Italian seasonings, and garlic powder. Grill until reaching desired brown toastiness at 3-5 minutes. Sprinkle Italian seasonings and garlic powder again.
Repeat until 4 sandwiches are created.
Garnish with basil and strawberry if desired.

Strawberry goodness creeping from crispy Italian seasoned bread.

Ooey gooey creamy goodness will ooze from deliciously messy sandwiches. Napkins are highly recommended for these babies.