Name: The ultimate BLT sandwich
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 80 min
Ingredients: 4 ripe tomatoes (sliced into thick slices); 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp pepper; 1 tbsp olive oil; 3 extra large free range egg yolks; juice of 1 lemon; 1 garlic clove (sliced); 1 tsp Dijon mustard; 1/2 tsp smoked paprika; 1-2 tsp caster sugar; 1 tsp salt; 250 ml (1cup) canola oil; 250 g (½lb) streaky bacon (cooked to your preference ); 8 slices sourdough bread (lightly toasted in the oven); ice berg lettuce

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Crispy bacon, juicy roasted tomatoes and crunchy lettuce all makes this BLT sandwich with smoky garlic mayonnaise the ultimate summer sandwich.

The key to making a really great BLT sandwich (bacon, lettuce and tomato) is to make sure that the ingredients you use are of the best quality you can find. Using average bacon, bland tomatoes, below par lettuce and regular bread is just not going to deliver the type of sandwich you are craving. I actually really love Iceberg lettuce as I like the unobtrusive flavor and nice crunch it adds. But feel free to use any lettuce that will add freshness and crunch. The stars here are definitely the bacon and tomatoes. Dry cured bacon that has been baked until crispy-fatty (that perfect place between super crispy and just fatty enough) is my absolute favorite on sandwiches.

If you have perfectly ripe, in-season tomatoes, use them as is. However, slow-roasting tomatoes until they are soft, sweet and intense in flavor is a great way to make sure the tomato element in this sandwich is just as delicious as the bacon. Just make sure to salt the tomatoes generously, whether roasted or raw.

I used sourdough bread but baguette, ciabatta or a farm-style loaf will all work well. Add a good smear of smoky garlic mayo and you have a sandwich to dream about. Perfection in every bite.

How to make a BLT sandwich

Place slices of tomato onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Place in the oven and allow to roast until the edges start to caramelize and the tomatoes are cooked. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature. Cook slices of streaky bacon in a large pan or in the oven until crispy. Place on a paper towel lined plate to absorb the excess grease. Pour any bacon fat into a heat-safe jar and store in the fridge to use for roasted potatoes.

Make your own aioli by combining egg yolks, garlic, lemon juice, mustard, smoked paprika, salt, sugar and pepper in a blender and blending until smooth. With the blender running, slowly drizzle in oil and blend until the mayonnaise is thick and emulsified.

Assemble the BLT sandwiches by lightly toasting thick slices of bread. Add a generous smear of garlic mayo and top with lettuce, roasted tomatoes and cooked bacon. Top with another slice of bread and serve.

How to cook bacon in the oven

Place slices of bacon (preferably streaky bacon) on a sheetpan lined with parchment paper. Pre-heat the oven to 200°C/400°F. Place the bacon in the oven and cook for 8-10 minutes until the bacon is starting to crisp around the edges. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the sheet pan for another 3-5 minutes before serving. The bacon will continue cooking in this time and will crisp a little more.

What goes with a BLT sandwich

Sandwich recipes