How To Make The Best BLT
Recipe Overview
Overview
The BLT, a beloved classic, is often underestimated in its simplicity. This recipe elevates the traditional sandwich by focusing on the quality of each ingredient. Starting with the tomatoes, the emphasis is on selecting varieties that are juicy and flavorful, which is crucial for a standout BLT. The technique of sprinkling salt and sugar on the tomatoes to draw out their juices is a clever way to enhance their natural sweetness and flavor.
The bacon is treated with care, cooked slowly to render out the fat while keeping it tender rather than crispy. This approach ensures that the bacon complements rather than overpowers the other ingredients. The addition of bacon fat to the mayonnaise is a genius move, creating a rich and savory spread that ties the sandwich together beautifully.
Assembling the sandwich is where the magic happens. The layers of tomato, bacon, and crisp iceberg lettuce create a delightful contrast of textures and flavors. The grilled bread adds a satisfying crunch, making each bite a joy. This recipe not only showcases the BLT’s potential but also encourages creativity in sandwich-making. Whether you’re enjoying it for lunch or as a casual dinner, this elevated BLT is sure to impress.
Recipe Details
Steps & Tips
Slice tomatoes into thick pieces, using the fleshy bottoms.
Sprinkle sugar and salt on the tomatoes to extract water.
Tip: Sprinkle sugar and salt on tomatoes to pull out water and enhance flavor.
Place bacon in a cold pan and cook on low heat for about 10 minutes.
Tip: Start bacon in a cold pan to render fat slowly for better texture.
Tip: Turn up the heat gradually to extract more fat from the bacon.
Transfer cooked bacon to a colander to separate it from the fat.
Mix rendered bacon fat into mayonnaise with malt vinegar and Tabasco.
Tip: Add malt vinegar to mayonnaise for acidity to balance the fat.
Spread a thin layer of bacon mix on bread before grilling.
Tip: Spread mayonnaise on bread before grilling for better flavor.
Tip: Use a spoon for spreading ingredients in sandwiches for better control.
Layer tomatoes and bacon on the bread.
Cut iceberg lettuce into slices.
Use the tomato juice to dress the lettuce.
Tip: Dress lettuce with tomato juice to enhance flavor without extra ingredients.
Layer dressed lettuce on top of the bacon and tomatoes.
Ingredients
Ingredient: Dairy
→ Substitution: Vegan Mayonnaise
Ingredient: Gluten
→ Substitution: Gluten-Free Bread
Nutrition
Skill Level
Frequently asked questions
Below you will find answers to the most common questions about this recipe.
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Interesting Tidbits
- •Using high-quality tomatoes enhances the flavor of the BLT.
- •Bacon should be cooked slowly in a cold pan for optimal flavor.
- •Mayonnaise can be enriched with bacon fat for added flavor.
- •Layering ingredients in a sandwich ensures every bite is flavorful.
