The simplest and most basic BLT sandwich will never be easier to make - in fact, the ingredients are right in the name! This type of sandwich (made with bacon, lettuce and tomato) is simple but delicious, and is also a great dish for those who intend to eat it for breakfast, as a snack or during lunch. Plus, because it's very simple, it's also incredibly easy to tweak into hundreds of exquisite variations. If you are ready to heat your griddle to make a succulent sandwich, start reading the article from the first step!
Ingrediants
Classic BLT
- 2 slices (or more) of bread (toasted if desired)
- 3-4 slices of bacon
- Lettuce
- 2-3 tomato slices (double cut)
- Mayonnaise (optional)
- Mustard (optional)
BLT California
- Ingredients for the classic BLT
- 1 Hass avocado
- A squeeze of lemon juice (optional)
BLT Special for Breakfast
- Ingredients for the classic BLT
- 1 egg
- 2 slices of cheese (cheddar, jack or Swiss are recommended)
BLT Royal
- Burrata
- 3-4 slices of bacon (double cut)
- 1 bun of brioche bread
- 1 heirloom tomato
- Rocket
- Olive oil
- Balsamic wine vinegar
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Prepare the Classic BLT
Step 1. Cook the bacon
If there is one thing that is absolutely essential for the success of a sandwich, it is bacon: delicious and succulent. Turn on a stove over medium heat and place a large or medium-sized skillet over it. When it is hot (you will know it is ready if, sprinkling a little water, it sizzles immediately), add the bacon strips and let them fry. Use a pair of kitchen tongs or a long fork to turn them regularly during cooking so they don't burn. When they are golden brown, place them on a plate covered with absorbent paper. The whole process shouldn't take more than 10 minutes or so.
- While you wait for the bacon to cook, you can follow the next steps to save time. Just keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't burn.
- As an alternative to frying, you can cook bacon by placing it in a shallow pan and leaving it in the oven at 190 or C for about 15-20 minutes.
- The "right" level of crunchiness for bacon is a subject of endless debate among its aficionados. Some people like it soft and chewy, while others like it burnt and crunchy. In the end it is up to you to determine how it should be. The sooner you take it out of the pan, the softer it will be.
Step 2. Add the other ingredients to the slices of bread
Take two slices of bread and place them on a clean cutting board or on the surface where you are making the sandwich. Spread the mayonnaise on a slice of bread. Then, spread the mustard over the mayonnaise. Finally, add other toppings you like. For example, some like to add a little "forte" by giving a splash of Tabasco.
- If you prefer, you can toast the bread to make the sandwich crisp before applying any type of topping.
- Of course, if mayonnaise or mustard are not to your liking, there is no need to add them to the sandwich. You may find that the toppings help spread the sandwich, although they are certainly not necessary.
Step 3. Add a couple of tomato slices
Next, take a tomato, turn it on its side and make a few vertical cuts so that you have round slices. Put them on the bread. The thickness varies according to your preferences - some people like to add a lot of tomato, while others like a few thin slices.
You can put any type of tomato you like in your BLT sandwich. Traditional ones are often made with large tomato slices accompanying the steak, but you can also use tastier varieties like heirloom or Roma if you like
Step 4. Add the lettuce
If you haven't already, wash the lettuce thoroughly in cold water to remove dirt and make sure the leaves are crisp and fresh. Spread a few lettuce leaves over the tomatoes. Again, the amount of lettuce to add is up to you. Many believe a leaf or two is enough.
As with tomatoes, the variety of lettuce to use is your choice. While many like iceberg salad, other types, such as romaine lettuce, are viable alternatives. You can also add something different, like spinach, if you prefer, although in this case the sandwich will not technically be a BLT
Step 5. Add the bacon
If the bacon is not ready at this point, wait a little longer. After removing it from the heat, place it for a few moments on a plate covered with absorbent paper so that the excess fat is absorbed. So, put the bacon in the sandwich. How much you need to use is up to you - some pick pretty double bites, while others prefer just a taste. Depending on the size of the bread, 3-4 strips are usually enough to munch on.
Step 6. Place the second piece of bread on top of the sandwich
Congratulations! Your sandwich is ready to eat. At this point, you can enjoy a delicious BLT or keep adding fillings to make a two-tier sandwich.
If the filling on the sandwich is too tall and falls apart when you try to eat it, it is recommended to skewer it with a toothpick to hold it together
Step 7. For a double sandwich, add more filling and another piece of bread
Sometimes, a regular sandwich isn't enough. If you are particularly hungry, consider adding a second layer of ingredients on top of the sandwich you made, then close the second floor with a third piece of bread. The second layer can contain all the filling ingredients you've used so far or just the ones you want.
For example, if we wanted to add a second layer with all the ingredients of the sandwich, we would have to spread the mustard and mayonnaise on top of the sandwich we have already prepared, add a couple of tomato slices, a lettuce leaf, a couple of strips of bacon, and finally another piece of bread on top
Method 2 of 4: Prepare a California BLT
Step 1. Make a classic sandwich, minus the final piece of bread
As stated in the introduction, there are hundreds of ways to do a BLT. This variation gives a bit of west coast flavor to a standard BLT sandwich by adding some of the key ingredients in a California club sandwich. To get started, you'll want to build a BLT as outlined above until it's normally finished. In other words, cook a few slices of bacon, then spread a little mustard and mayonnaise on the bread and, finally, add the tomato, lettuce and cooked bacon. From this point we will add a few more touches to make our sandwich unique.
For a true west coast sandwich, consider using sourdough, which is San Francisco's signature bread
Step 2. Add a couple of avocado slices
Peel and cut a ripe Hass avocado into double slices, the size of French fries. Place them low over the final bacon layer. The avocado gives the sandwich a certain creaminess, giving it a different accent than an ordinary BLT. The smooth structure of the avocado contrasts particularly well with the crunchiness of the toast.
Avocado is best when ripe. The avocado hass (the most common variety on the west coast of the United States) has a skin that varies between dark green and black and a consistent but yielding fiber structure. The fruit should feel a little heavy and obviously shouldn't have flattened or "deformed" areas. If you are not sure if it is ripe, check the bottom of the avocado under the brown stem. If the peel underneath is a light yellow-green color, you have chosen a ripe avocado. If it's brown, it may be bruised or overripe
Step 3. If you prefer, make a squeeze of lemon juice
After adding the avocado, it is advisable to press a thin slice of lemon on the sandwich, sufficient to produce only a few drops. If you do, be cautious - only a pinch of lemon is appropriate, not a bun that makes you squeeze your cheeks. When done correctly, BLT will have a slightly strong flavor that, for some, is absolutely delicious when paired with the fleshiness of bacon and the naturalness of avocado.
Step 4. Add the last piece of bread
Congratulations! Your BLT California is ready to eat. If you wish, you can add another layer of ingredients and an additional piece of bread to make it double-layered. If you are looking for a true Californian experience, it is recommended that you opt for this - the California club sandwich, the symbol of the state of California, is normally prepared on two floors.
Method 3 of 4: Make a Special Breakfast BLT
Step 1. Cook the bacon, saving the fat
This variation is great for early risers looking for a satisfying meal to start their work day. First of all, start cooking the bacon as usual, but, when you're done, set aside a little fat, so you can use it when you fry the egg.
If you don't like the idea of frying the egg in bacon fat, you can eliminate it by using, instead, another type of fat to fry the egg, such as butter, oil or margarine
Step 2. Make a classic sandwich, minus the final piece of bread
While you're waiting for the bacon to finish cooking, take the time to make the sandwich. Take a piece of bread and add your favorite toppings along with the tomato, lettuce and bacon (when it's done cooking). As above, you'll need to build a basic BLT to make your new sandwich.
Step 3. Fry an egg in bacon fat
After removing the bacon slices from the pan, draining and adding to the sandwich, break an egg in the same pan. Wait until the egg is cooked as you wish, checking the cooking to make sure it does not overcook or burn.
Read How to fry an egg for specific techniques relating to egg frying. Basically, it is advisable to fry the egg in the pan for a few minutes until all the edges are white, then pour a spoonful of water into the pan next to the egg, covering with a lid. This will steam the top side of the egg, ensuring good cooking. Then, continue until the egg reaches the desired cooking level, checking under the lid several times to observe the progress. Remove the egg from the pan when ready - avoid beating it
Step 4. Add the fried egg and cheese to your BLT
When the egg has finished cooking, carefully place it on top of the sandwich. Then, add a few slices of your favorite cheese on top. Almost any type of cheese is fine with these ingredients, although choosing the ones that are most suitable for omelettes, such as cheddar, jack and Swiss, will be on the safe side.
Step 5. Add the last piece of bread
Congratulations! The BLT breakfast special is ready to eat. Fried egg and cheese make this hearty, satisfying meal look a lot like a true American breakfast.
If you're eating on the go, take a napkin with you - the egg yolk may leak, depending on how cooked it is
Method 4 of 4: Prepare a BLT Royal
Step 1. Fry the bacon
For the aforementioned variations, we stop on the same basic model: bread, condiments, tomato, lettuce, bacon and bread. As for the details of the ingredients, we've left the choice up to you - you can use anything from white bread to rye bread, from supermarket bacon to gourmet butchery cuts, and so on. However, with this worthy and scrupulous recipe it is not possible to skimp on quality. Start by frying some excellent quality bacon with a taste that is second to none.
The pancetta used is an Italian variety of pancetta that is not smoked like bacon (in fact, most American bacon is smoked) and often flavored with various flavors. It is cooked in the same way as bacon - either fried in a pan a few minutes per side or baked in the oven
Step 2. Spread the burrata on a brioche bun
Instead of choosing plain bread and the combination of mustard and mayonnaise, this time we will use less contrasting ingredients. Cut a connoisseur's brioche bun in half and spread the fresh burrata over the bottom half. Be generous - unlike mustard and mayonnaise, you can spread more seasoning here.
- Brioche bread is a rich, tender French pastry bread made with high egg and butter content. It is sweet, light and fluffy so as to allow contrasts with heavier flavors.
- Burrata is a soft cheese, made up of an outer shell of mozzarella and cream of whey, which makes the BLT sandwich and many other types of sandwiches rich and creamy. The outside of the cheese is often pure mozzarella, while the inside is a distinctive blend of cheese and cream. Use the inside to spread it.
Step 3. Add the rocket
On top of the tomato slices sprinkle a handful of rocket. Since arugula comes in the form of so many small leaves as opposed to the large ones of lettuce, it can be difficult to get them to stay in the sandwich. However, if you put it at this stage, before adding the tomato, the leaves will remain stuck in the sandwich thanks to the burrata, ensuring a neat (or at least neat) sandwich.
Sometimes called "rocket", rocket is a more nutritious alternative to the normal iceberg salad. In addition, it also has a slightly peppery flavor, a little nutty, and a particular scent, which gives an extra touch to almost every sandwich
Step 4. Add the heirloom tomato slices
Afterward, you'll want to add a savory sliced tomato. While there are many viable choices, heirloom tomatoes (sometimes called "heritage" tomatoes) are best suited. They have a speckled appearance, which can range from yellow to red to green or even brown, and they taste sweeter and more succulent than regular varieties.
Note that heirloom tomatoes don't keep particularly well, so it's best to buy them fresh whenever possible
Step 5. Add the cooked bacon
At this point, if you cook the bacon while making the sandwich, it should be almost ready. When the bacon has finished cooking, remove it from the pan and let it drain on a plate covered with absorbent paper. After a few moments, put the bacon in the sandwich.
You can add bacon as much as you like, but, as with bacon, 3-4 pieces are enough
Step 6. Sprinkle oil and vinegar on the top half of the bun
We're almost done with our connoisseur BLT sandwich! Garnish your sandwich with a strong, mouthwatering flavor by making an oil and vinegar sauce. Combine three parts of olive oil and one part of balsamic vinegar in a small bowl. Use very small amounts for both - try making a few tablespoons of sauce in total. Sprinkle about a tablespoon evenly on the top of the sandwich.
If you have a bit of this sauce left over, don't dip the sandwich. Using it too much, you risk the sandwich becoming a soggy mess. Instead, try combining it with rocket leftovers for an improvised salad side dish
Step 7. Place the top half of the brioche on top of the sandwich
The game is done! Turn your brioche bread and enjoy the prize: a top-notch sandwich.
As a side dish, try using rocket and salad with the above sauce, or, for a pejorative alternative, a little homemade fries
Advice
- Don't overdo the mayonnaise - it will inhibit the flavor of the bacon, lettuce and tomato, making it unnecessary to put anything else on the bread.
- If you prefer, toast the bread before adding the mayonnaise.
- Season the lettuce with a little vinegar (if you wish) - it will give it a fantastic flavor.
