Sandwiches are the ubiquitous luncheon food. With this many vegetarian options, who needs meat?

Sandwiches are the ultimate convenience food: slap all your favourite ingredients between two slices of bread (or a tortilla, for ultimate portability) and go. Old favourites are getting grilled – which helps avoid the filling leaking all over the front of your shirt – but is also making sandwiches trendy again.

Still, most of us eat sandwiches out of convenience. How can we use up that leftover meatloaf? Make a sandwich. Nothing in the fridge? Use what you do have to make a sandwich, or use non-perishables like peanut butter and jam.

Just because sandwiches are convenient, however, does not mean they also can’t be gourmet. It has become increasingly common for restaurants to have at least one or two vegetarian options on their menu, ranging from veggie patty (like mushrooms, grains, and veggies) to Margherita-style smoked mozzarella and basil concoctions. Grilling the sandwich to warm the fillings and melt the cheese adds class and a special restaurant touch.

At work or at home, these sandwiches leave the meaty deli cold cuts in the dust.

For the adult taste buds that go beyond PB & J, here are the top five Vegetarian Sandwiches. All also offer vegan options.

For another delicious vegan option, try Tofu "Egg" Salad.

1. Avocado Dream

Ingredients:

• ¼ ripe avocado
• 1 Tbsp. cream cheese or vegan cream cheese substitute (optional)
• 3 small pepperoncini peppers, stems removed and sliced lengthwise
• Tomato slices
• Balsamic vinegar or dressing
• Sprouts
• Salt and pepper, to taste.

1. Spread cream cheese on toasted or untoasted bread; top with additional ingredients. Drizzle with balsamic and (don’t leave this step out) sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Suggested bread: Hearty multigrain or flax

2. Hummus Heaven

Ingredients:

• 1/8-1/4 cup hummus
• Roasted red peppers, cut into strips and drained if packaged in oil.
• Watercress, alfalfa sprouts, or other spicy greens

Suggested bread: a lighter multigrain or toasted Italian; pita bread.

3. Smoked Wheat Melt

Montreal Smoked Meat sandwiches are famous the world-round. They consist of spiced beef brisket on rye bread topped with mustard. Generally, they are served with coleslaw and a pickle. As this is obviously not a traditional smoked meat sandwich, so feel free to add cheese. It’s delicious.

Ingredients:

• ½ package “Smoked Wheat”, orhttp://www.montrealveggiegourmet.com/ imitation smoked meat (usually made from wheat gluten)
• Mustard
• Mozzarella or cheddar cheese, sliced (optional)

1. Heat the smoked wheat in a frying pan or in the microwave as per package instructions.
2. Spread mustard on one slice of bread.
3. Sandwich between two slices of bread; pile it high. The package reads “2 servings”; they aren’t kidding. It should be a challenge to get your mouth around this one.
4. Top with cheese, if desired.

Suggested bread: Deli rye.

4. Beyond PB & J: Almond Butter

Instead of peanut, try a gourmet nut spread like almond butter or cashew butter. Because of their richness, top these spreads with a lighter, milder companion such as thinly-sliced Royal Gala apple, banana, or a light honey. Cut into tea sandwich-sized squares, if desired.

Suggested bread: whole wheat or white.

5. Grilled tofu with Pesto Mayonnaise

• 2 slices leftover tofu, smoked or grilled
• Coarsely ground pepper
• Pesto mayonnaise: mix mayonnaise and pesto in a ratio of 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise to 1 Tbsp. pesto and adjust proportions to taste
• Grilled vegetables such as eggplant, peppers, or zucchini (optional)

1. Grill or fry tofu until hot.
2. Spread bread with pesto mayonnaise.
3. Sandwich tofu between bread slices and top with optional grilled vegetables

Variation: Top tofu with fresh basil leaves and mayonnaise.

Suggested bread: Baguette.