• Chipotle Mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 chipotle chilies in adobo sauce
  • 1 tsp. adobo sauce from chipotle peppers
  • 1 garlic clove, grated (I voe using my new microplane for this task)
  • 1 tbsp. chopped cilantro
  • 1 tsp lemon or lime juice
  • 1 lb. bacon, cooked up crispy or how you like it (we like to eat turkey bacon)
  • 1 large beefsteak, vine ripened tomato or heirloom tomato, sliced
  • 1 head Bibb lettuce, bunch of arugula and red or green leaf lettuce
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled and sliced and smashed (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
  • Just a sprinkle of Slap Ya Mama
  • Your favorite bread, toasted (the thicker the bread the better)

After Tae kwon do testing last Friday, we all went to a local diner for milkshakes and dinner. I forfeited my milkshake for bottled water. (I was so proud of myself! : – ) Our friend, Danae, ordered one of her favorite sandwiches, a good ole BLT! What was presented to her was your average BLT, which unfortunately did not match the ‘consumer’ (pun intended) who was looking forward to devouring it after five hours of third degree black belt testing! Danae is anything but average, a sweet and special girl, she deserved a great BLT instead of a mundane one. After eating one half of her sandwich which had a decent amount of bacon, she proceeded to eat the other half. After taking a bite, she opened up her sandwich smiled and commented, “Now I know why I had lots of bacon on one half” There was only a leaf of lettuce and a slice of tomato on the other half.

There are several things to consider when making a good ole BLT! I admit that I AM one of those individuals that does not take the construction of their BLT lightly! : – ) We all know what BLT stands for. BLT’S are no stranger to diverse demographics or religions. This scrumptious sandwich with it’s many variations, including the Club Sandwich, has been enjoyed by most American families for decades! Said to have been served at Victorian Tea Parties in the 1930’s, BLT’s became very popular during the 1950’s when often served in neighborhood diners. Today, turkey bacon is sometimes substituted for those who do not consume pork. I have even seen roasted vegetables used in place of the bacon…sacrilegious…just kidding!

Texture and intense flavor is the key to a “GREAT BLT sandwich” rather than just a “MUNDANE BLT sandwich!” Use the type of bread you like best. I enjoy a hearty thick bread with my BLT because it can withstand the amount of bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo I put on and in it. The thickness of your bacon will depend on how you enjoy eating your bacon. If you enjoy eating crispy bacon, you may want to try thinly sliced or regular bacon which crisps up nicely. Others prefer their bacon a little tender therefore thickly sliced bacon would be your best bet. All I know is that there is nothing worse than a lack of BACON in your BLT, so I think the more the better! Pile on as much as you can on your sandwich!

The TOMATO…I like hearty beefsteak tomatoes because they have less seeds and more meat. No one likes a wet, soggy sandwich. Heirloom tomatoes, with their various colors and flavors are also a great choice in the summertime. Your choice of LETTUCE is equally important. Romaine tends to be bitter, but Bibb, red and green leaf lettuces are nice and soft in texture. Iceberg lettuce has generally been used throughout the years, but I find it almost flavorless, not to mention it is mostly water and has little nutritional value compared to other greens. Arugula is a great choice because of it’s peppery flavor. Your MAYO can be the best flavor enhancer to your sandwich and that is why I love Chipotle Mayonnaise! If you aren’t a fan of heat, just try adding a little lemon or lime juice and grated garlic to your mayonnaise.

The Great BLT…my version

Makes 4 hearty sandwiches

1. Start by making your Chipotle Mayonnaise and set aside.

2. Combine all ingredients and set aside in refrigerator until ready to use; can even be made a couple of days advance.

3. Mash avocado with lemon juice and a little Slap Ya Mama White Pepper Blend Seasoning.

4. To assemble: Lay out the toasted bread slices and spread one side of each slice with your chipotle mayonnaise. If you like avocado, spread on the other slice of bread. Build the sandwiches by placing 1/4 of your bacon, 2 lettuce leaves or a handful of arugula, and 2 slices of tomato. Top with the remaining slices of bread, spread sides down, and press downward slightly before slicing each sandwich in half.

Variations: Try making a salad with the same ingredients or top baked potatoes with the ingredients. Add bacon and chipotle mayonnaise to your potato salad. You can also make thsi in a wrap instead of a sandwich!