Bakin’ With The King

Happy Saturday to all Baconians!

It’s me again………..the King of Baconia who every Saturday, takes over the kitchen from the regular Castle Chef for a morning of baking something delicious that involves BACON!    Our Chef here att he Castle really doesn’t mind……..he looks cranky but he isn’t – right Francoise??

My King, it is my pleasure to turn zee keechen over to your Royal self so I may have zee break !!

Good – I will let you know when I’ve cleaned up the kitchen with help from the Castle Cleaning Crew and you may re-inhabit your domain!

I’ll do trash removal!

I’ll do vacuuming!

I’ll do dishes!

I’ll do windows!

I’ll clean countertops!

I’ll snoopervise!

So what will I be cooking for you today?

The PERFECT BLT

WHAT???????????????   But we ALL know how to make one of those you say…………..that may be true, but there are a couple of extra touches that make it even more delish – just a simple BLT or add some extras if you like……………. you’ll agree with me – I bet you will!

INGREDIENTS:

6 pieces thick-cut bacon

• 8 slices good bread
• About 4 tablespoons mayonnaise (I use Hellmann’s)
• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1 large perfectly ripe tomato, cut into 4 generous slices, or 2 plum tomatoes, cut into 4 lengthwise slices each
• Kosher or coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Romaine or iceberg lettuce, about 8 sandwich-size pieces

 

1. You can either bake your bacon (add 4 to 6 extra minutes to the cooking time), or you can heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon for about 6 to 8 minutes, turning it every few minutes until it is nicely crisp, but still pliable. Remove the bacon to paper towels to drain, then cut each slice in half crosswise.

2. Spread about 1 teaspoon of mayonnaise on 1 side of each piece of bread. Spray a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray and heat over medium heat. In the skillet, place as many slices of bread that will fit, mayo side down, and griddle them up until the mayo side of the bread is nicely browned, about 1 minute. Remove the bread from the skillet, let rest browned side up, and griddle up any remaining slices.

3. Place 4 of the slices of toast browned side down on a cutting board. Place a tomato on each piece, season lightly with salt and pepper, place 3 half slices of bacon on each slice of tomato, and top with a couple of pieces of lettuce. Generously spread the rest of the mayo on the non-browned side of the remaining slices of bread, and top the sandwiches with them browned side up. You now have a perfect BLT.

 

Now, remember I said you could jazz this up with some “details”?    Check these out:

• Swap out the plain lettuce for arugula, spinach, or watercress
• Swap out the bacon for pancetta (but bacon is best!)
• Add grilled or caramelized onions or a thin slice of raw onion
• Add a fried egg
• Add a slice of avocado or guacamole, or make a quick guac-ish mash smash up some avocado with lime juice and maybe some minced scallion or minced cilantro
• Mix the mayo with some smoked paprika, hot pepper sauce, minced fresh basil, cilantro, or another fresh herb or your choice
• Add a sautéed thin chicken cutlet (when I say THIN I mean THIN)
• When you’re browning the bread, you could add a slice or a smear of cheese on half the slices (on the top as you brown the bottom – any cheese, such as cheddar, Monterey jack, brie, or goat cheese. Cover the pan for 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese melts slightly, and then assemble the BLTs (lightly mayo the non-browned side of the remaining 4 slices of bread).

My Mom’s favorite addition is avocado………..of course not everyone is in love with avocado like she is but try one of  the other optional goodies………….Adding the fried egg makes it a perfect breakfast sandwich for instance!

See?   The wonderful BLT is just plain delicious no matter how you slice it (hahahahaha – I made a joke!).     Trust me……..

Remember the BLT!    The original bacon treat!   

King Teddy