EXTRA-CRISPY BLT

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image



Extra-Crispy BLT image

Using wavy, thin-cut bacon in a BLT is kind of like putting potato chips in your sandwich: It adds salt and a satisfying crunch when you take a bite. Cook the bacon in the oven (the fastest way to evenly cook a batch), then layer the slices irregularly for more air and optimal texture. Use equal portions of bacon and tomato for a nice balance of crisp and soft, salty and sweet. Thinly sliced iceberg lettuce goes in between the two for freshness and even more crunch, and it helps keep the tomatoes from dampening the bacon. While these steps seem small, together they are the keys to the BLT of your summertime dreams.

Provided by Ali Slagle

Categories     sandwiches, main course

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 pound thin-cut bacon, halved crosswise
8 (1/4-inch-thick) slices of large, ripe tomatoes (such as beefsteak, from about 2 12-ounce tomatoes)
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 small head iceberg lettuce
8 slices airy white bread (such as sandwich bread, pain de mie or milk bread)
Mayonnaise and/or Dijon mustard

Steps:

  • Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a sheet pan with foil, including up the sides. Arrange the bacon in a single layer on the lined sheet pan, overlapping pieces slightly, if necessary, to fit them all on the pan. Transfer to the oven and cook, without flipping, until deep golden brown and curling in spots, 15 to 25 minutes. (You can put the bacon in as the oven heats up; it will help the fat render.) Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. (You can fold and curl the pieces onto the plate; this will add more texture to the final sandwich.)
  • Meanwhile, season the tomatoes with salt and pepper. Cut four 1/4-inch-thick slabs of the iceberg lettuce crosswise. (Make a wedge salad with the rest.) Toast the bread in the toaster or directly on an empty rack in the oven, flipping halfway through.
  • Spread one side of the toasted bread with mayonnaise and/or mustard. Add 2 slices of tomato to half the bread slices. Top with one slab of lettuce, then add the bacon. It will be tricky to lay the bacon flat, and that's good. Arrange them irregularly, so there are pockets of air between the slices.
  • Top with the remaining slices of bread. Press down slightly, cut in half and eat right away.

There are no comments yet!