BLT sandwich is a dish that is very easy to make because the ingredients needed are clearly stated in the name which consists of Bacon (smoked meat), Lettuce (lettuce), and Tomato (tomato). BLT sandwiches are delicious to serve as a breakfast, brunch, or lunch dish. So easy, this sandwich has many variations of recipes that can be modified into delicious sandwiches. When you're ready to heat up the toaster and make a delicious BLT sandwich, read on step 1 to make it!
Ingredients
Classic BLT Sandwich
- 2 slices (or more) bread (toasted, if you like)
- 3-4 pieces of smoked meat
- Lettuce
- 2-3 tomatoes (thickly sliced)
- Mayonnaise (optional)
- Mustard (optional)
California BLT Sandwich
- Classic BLT sandwich ingredients
- 1 avocado hass
- A little lemon juice (optional)
Special BLT Sandwich for Breakfast
- Classic BLT sandwich ingredients
- 1 egg
- 2 slices of cheese (cheddar, jack, or Swiss)
BLT Royal Sandwich
- Burrata cheese
- 3-4 pieces of pancetta (thick pieces)
- 1 brioche bun or burger bun
- 1 heirloom tomato
- Arugula
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
Step
Method 1 of 4: Making Classic BLT Sandwich
Step 1. Cook the bacon
Smoked meat is a very crucial ingredient in BLT sandwiches. Heat a medium or large frying pan on the stove over medium heat. When the skillet is hot (drop a little water on the pan and if the water sizzles immediately, the pan is ready to use), add the bacon to the pan and fry. Use tongs or a long fork to turn the bacon periodically so it doesn't burn. When the bacon has turned brown, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. The process of frying bacon takes about 10 minutes.
- You can do the next step while waiting for the bacon to cook. Watch the bacon so it doesn't burn.
- Alternatively, bacon can also be grilled. Place the bacon in the pan and then put it in the oven and bake the bacon at 190°C for 15-20 minutes.
- There's been a lot of debate about the right level of crispy bacon among fans. Some like smoked meat with a soft and chewy texture. There are also those who like a crunchy texture. The choice is up to you. The texture of the smoked meat will become soft if it is only cooked for a while.
Step 2. Grease a piece of bread with the oil
Then, take two slices of bread and place them on a cutting board or clean surface. Spread the bread with mayonnaise on a piece of bread. Then, grease the bread with mustard again. You can add a spread or other additives if you like, such as Tabasco sauce. Tabasco sauce will add flavor to the BLT sandwich.
- If you like, the bread can be baked first for a crunchy texture before being spread.
- You don't have to add mayonnaise or mustard if you don't like it. Smearing the bread with the spread actually only helps the sandwich to "stick," but it doesn't have to be.
Step 3. Add some tomato slices
Next, take the tomatoes and slice the sides vertically so that the tomato pieces become circular. Add a few slices of tomato to the top of the bread. Tomato slices can be added according to taste. Some like a lot of tomatoes, some like a little tomato on their sandwich.
Use tomatoes according to taste. Traditional BLT sandwiches generally use tomatoes with thick slices, but you can also use other types of tomatoes of your choice, such as heirloom tomatoes or Roma tomatoes
Step 4. Add the lettuce
Wash the entire surface of the lettuce in cold water to remove dirt and make it crispy and fresh. Add some lettuce on top of the tomato slices. The number of lettuce depends on your taste. 1-2 sheets are actually enough.
Just like tomatoes, the type of lettuce to use depends on your taste. In addition to iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce can also be used as an alternative. Plus, leafy greens like spinach can work as well, but your sandwich won't live up to the BLT name
Step 5. Add the bacon
Fry the smoked meat until cooked. When it's done, transfer it and place the bacon on a plate lined with paper towels for a few minutes to absorb the excess oil. Then, add the bacon to the sandwich arrangement. The amount of smoked meat depends on your taste. Some like a lot of smoked meat, some like a little. 3-4 pieces of bacon are enough to give it a delicious taste and crunchy texture.
Step 6. Place the second bread sheet on top of the sandwich stack
Safe! BLT sandwich is ready to eat. At this point, the sandwich is ready to be enjoyed or you can add filling to make a double-decker sandwich.
If the sandwich gets too tall and falls apart when you eat it, you can use a toothpick to keep the sandwich neat
Step 7. Add the filling and a slice of bread to make a double-decker sandwich
Sometimes, regular size sandwiches are still not filling. If you're really hungry, you can add a second layer on top of the sandwich and then cover the filling with a third slice of bread. The second layer on the sandwich can be filled with the filling being used or according to taste.
For example, you can make a second layer for a sandwich by spreading mustard or mayonnaise on a second slice of bread. Then, add a few slices of tomato, a piece of lettuce, a few slices of bacon, and a slice of bread on top of the sandwich
Method 2 of 4: Making California BLT Sandwich
Step 1. Arrange the classic BLT sandwich before covering it with a sheet of bread
As stated earlier, the BLT sandwich recipe has many variations. This variation will add a west coast feel to the standard BLT sandwich by adding the key ingredients in the California sandwich. Start by making the classic BLT sandwich, which is to fry the bacon, spread mayonnaise and mustard on the bread, then add the tomatoes, lettuce, and bacon to the sandwich. In this section, we will add some additional ingredients to make the sandwich even more unique.
To make a classic west coast sandwich, you can use sourdough bread, which is a San Francisco specialty
Step 2. Add some avocado slices
Peel and cut the ripe hass avocado into chunks of french fries. Place the avocado slices on top of the bacon layer. Avocados provide a soft and delicious texture and this is not found in regular BLT sandwiches. The soft texture of the avocado is a stark contrast, but pairs well with the crunchy texture of the bacon.
Avocados are tastier when they are ripe. Ripe hass avocados have a greenish-black skin and a firm texture. Avocado flesh should be quite filling and there should be no lumpy parts. To check the ripeness of the avocado, you can see the former stem on the bottom of the avocado. If the skin is greenish yellow, it means the avocado is ripe. If the skin is brown, the avocado is a bit mushy or too ripe
Step 3. In addition, sprinkle a little lemon juice
After adding the avocado, you can squeeze a slice of lemon to release the juice. Sprinkle just a little for a faint lemon flavor so it doesn't get too sour. If you do it right, the taste of the BLT sandwich will be a little sharp and crisp, but it goes well with the bacon and avocado.
Step 4. Add the last loaf of bread
Safe! The California BLT sandwich is ready to eat. If you like, you can add a layer of filling and a slice of bread to make a double-decker sandwich. To make a sandwich with a thick Californian feel, you can make a California club sandwich, which is a typical Californian sandwich that can be served as a double-decker sandwich.
Method 3 of 4: Making Special BLT Sandwiches for Breakfast
Step 1. Fry the bacon and leave the oil
This variation of the BLT sandwich is perfect for people who wake up early to have a delicious breakfast before going to work. Start by frying the bacon, but save the oil for frying the eggs.
If you don't like frying eggs with smoked bacon oil, you can discard the oil and use other fats such as butter, cooking oil, or margarine for frying eggs
Step 2. Assemble the classic BLT sandwich before covering with a sheet of bread
While waiting for the bacon to cook, take your time assembling the sandwiches. Lay out a piece of bread, then add your preferred spread, tomatoes, lettuce, and bacon (if done). As described, make the classic BLT sandwich for a new variation.
Step 3. Fry the eggs in the smoked bacon oil
Remove and strain the bacon from the oil and then add it to the top of the sandwich. Then, fry the eggs in the skillet at your preferred level of doneness, but don't overcook or burn.
Check out how to fry eggs for a more specific technique. In general, fry the eggs in the pan for a few minutes until the edges turn white then add a spoonful of water next to the eggs and cover the pan. This process will cook the sides of the egg. Then, fry the eggs at the desired level of doneness while checking the condition of the eggs by opening the lid of the pan several times. Remove and remove eggs from pan. Remember not to turn the eggs over
Step 4. Add the fried egg and cheese to the sandwich
When the eggs are cooked, gently place them on the sandwich. Then, add a few slices of your favorite cheese on top of the eggs. Almost any type of cheese goes well with the ingredients of a BLT sandwich, but cheddar, jack, and Swiss cheeses are safe to use in terms of taste.
Step 5. Add the last loaf of bread
Safe! The special BLT sandwich for breakfast is ready to eat. Fried eggs and cheese make this sandwich as delicious as a typical American breakfast menu that is integrated in a sandwich.
If you're going to eat your sandwich on the road, don't forget to bring a napkin, as egg yolks can mess up the sandwich if it's still a little runny
Method 4 of 4: Making BLT Royal Sandwich
Step 1. Fry the pancetta
For the variation of the BLT sandwich above, we still use the same layers, namely: bread, spread, tomatoes, lettuce, and bacon. However, the ingredients mentioned can be varied according to taste, for example replacing white bread with rye bread, replacing ready-made bacon from supermarkets with bacon cuts from butchers, and so on. However, for variations of this recipe, use higher quality and luxurious ingredients. Start by frying pancetta of high quality that is second to none.
Pancetta is a type of Italian smoked meat that is not smoked (as opposed to American smoked meat which is generally smoked) and is usually seasoned. The way to cook pancetta is the same as how to cook bacon, which is to fry for a few minutes each side or bake in the oven
Step 2. Brush the brioche bread with burrata cheese
Use a more luxurious spread than standard spreads such as mayonnaise or mustard. Cut the brioche bread in half and spread it with fresh burrata cheese. Brush brioche bread with generous amount of burrata cheese; unlike mustard and mayonnaise, which will make the sandwich a mess if you spread it too much.
- Brioche bread is a soft and rich French-style bread and is high in eggs and butter. This bread is quite sweet, light, and smooth so that it gives a light sensation when combined with a denser sandwich filling.
- Burrata cheese is a type of soft cheese made from mozzarella cheese and cream cheese so that the texture becomes soft and luxurious and is suitable for spreading BLT sandwiches and other sandwiches. The outside of burrata cheese resembles mozzarella cheese, but the inside is like cream cheese. Use the inside to spread the sandwich.
Step 3. Add arugula
Then, add a handful of arugula on top of the tomato slices. Unlike lettuce which is a large leaf, arugula is a bit difficult to place on a sandwich because of its shape in a small leaf. If you put the arugula before the tomato slices, the arugula will stick with the burrata cheese, making the sandwich easier to stack.
Arugula, also known as "rocket", has more nutritional value than iceberg lettuce. With its nutty and peppery taste and distinctive aroma, arugula is perfect for pairing with a variety of sandwiches
Step 4. Add sliced heirloom tomatoes
Then, you can add delicious tomato slices to the sandwich. Heirloom tomatoes are great for sandwiches, although many other types of tomatoes can be used. Tomatoes that are known for their rich taste have the appearance of blotches and colors that vary from yellow, red, green, to brown, as well as a sweet and delicious taste compared to ordinary tomatoes.
Note that heirloom tomatoes cannot be stored for long. Therefore, use fresh tomatoes for a delicious taste
Step 5. Add the cooked pancetta
At this point, the pancetta should be cooked through while you're setting the sandwich. When the pancetta is done, take it out and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the oil. After that, put the pancetta on top of the sandwich.
Add pancetta according to the desired amount. 3-4 sheets will also suffice
Step 6. Put a little olive oil and vinegar on the brioche bread
The BLT royal sandwich is almost done. Make your own vinaigrette with oil and vinegar as a savory and tangy addition to sandwiches. Combine 3 parts olive oil and 1 part balsamic vinegar in a small bowl. Use it sparingly; no more than a spoonful of vinaigrette. Spread about a tablespoon of vinaigrette evenly over the brioche bread.
Don't add too much leftover vinaigrette to the brioche, as this will make the sandwich messy. However, mix the vinaigrette with the remaining arugula to make lettuce as a side dish
Step 7. Place half of the brioche bread slices on top of the sandwich
Finished! Cup your premium sandwich and enjoy.
Use the aforementioned arugula lettuce and vinaigrette as a side dish or serve a sandwich with homemade fries
Tips
- Don't rub too much of the mayonnaise as it will strip the bacon, lettuce, and tomato flavor and make it tasteless.
- You can toast the bread first before slathering it with mayonnaise.
- Add vinegar to the lettuce (if you like). This will add a nice flavor to the lettuce.
