Perfect BLT
Weekend food to me is all about comfort, especially if you're needing some recovery time after a busy week. Last week was especially a busy but fun one. And while I had a blast, this little introvert needed some recouping and TLC over the weekend (extroverting is hard!) And the perfect cure for that, of course, was a lazy Saturday complete with homemade BLTs and tomato soup.
And you know if I was on a mission to make homemade BLTs they were going to be some bomb ones. The beauty of BLTs is they are hard to be bad. With so few ingredients, it's really the ideal sandwich because each ingredient shines and creates a perfect bite. But when you make a great BLT, with good ingredients and perfect proportions? Then that's a game-changer!
The best BLT I've ever had was from Essential Baking in Seattle. If you're from Washington, you probably know all about Essential Baking. They not only sell their amazing baked goods in practically every grocery store in the state but have a few cafes in Seattle where they make amazing, picnic-worthy sandwiches on freshly baked bread. And while BLTs are a dime a dozen, and can be easily forgettable, theirs managed to sweep me off my feet for it's attention to detail, quality ingredients and commitment to simplicity.
So what is the recipe for a perfect BLT?
Toasted Sourdough bread. This is an nonnegotiable. Sourdough adds that chewy texture and slightly tangy flavor to your other salty and fresh components. And if it's not toasted then it's just a sad BLT. Toast the sourdough!
A healthy stack of pepper bacon. Also a nonnegotiable. If you're going to buy bacon, already a bit on the spendy side, splurge just a bit more for thick-cut, super peppery bacon. The quality is a game changer. Besides, you don't want floppy bacon on your BLT, do you? Thick bacon makes for a more substantial sandwich, and the pepper creates a perfect savory/spicy bite.
Heirloom tomatoes. I've never been a tomato person, in fact, it took me quite some time to even eat the T in the BLT growing up (yep, it was just a sad BL). But as I've grown up, I crave the sweet, freshness of a tomato on any sandwich or burger. The T is arguably the most important component because it cuts down on the saltiness and adds light, fresh flavor. If you can get your hands on an Heirloom tomato, I highly recommend it. Tomatoes these days are super sad, grainy and lacking in beautiful red color, so try to get the freshest variety!
Arugula. Some of you might be shocked by this necessary component. While Romaine lettuce is the obvious choice because it’s super crisp and crunchy no doubt, I actually find it to be flavorless and unexciting. This is the ultimate, perfect BLT after all - make it amazing! Butter lettuce is definitely a step up and would be a lovely choice for a BLT. But arugula, my friends, is where it's at. The bitter, peppery flavor of the arugula really shines when you pair it with tangy bread, fresh tomato and peppery, salty bacon.
Mayo. Lots and lots of mayo. You either love mayo, like me, or you’re wrong. Case in point: this perfect BLT which relies on perfect mayo to really pull this sandwich together. The key is really slathering mayo on this bad boy to not only moisten your sourdough but add rich, creaminess to a sandwich that's just begging for it. So load up on the mayo! Mayo is your friend.
Moral of the BLT story? Simple, good ingredients and the right amounts of them. That's what makes the perfect BLT, my friends. Go ahead and give it a whirl!
Perfect BLT
Makes two big ol' BLTs!
Ingredients
4 slices of good sourdough bread
8 strips of thick pepper bacon, cooked
Heirloom tomato slices
A few handfuls of arugula
Mayo, lots of it
Directions
Lay sourdough bread slices on a baking sheet and broil about 2 minutes on each side until golden brown on each side. To assemble sandwich, spread a generous amount of mayo on one side of each piece of bread. Layer four strips of bacon, followed by tomatoes slices and a handful of arugula. Top with other piece of bread and cut in half on the diagonal (not the other way like a weirdo). Enjoy!
