Yay! BLT season is back!

[Robin Garr]

It's mid-July, and right on schedule, our beefsteak tomatoes are starting to produce. We sliced one thick and had memorable BLTs on rye toast (with some delicious locally produced bacon from Dreamcatcher Farm) . Too good. Just too good.

I can't help but wonder, though: Are BLTs really about the tomato, or are they just an excuse to eat extra bacon?

Are bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches ever out of season? The mere thought sends shivers down my spine...

For me it is BBTs, Bacon, Basil and Tomato on toasted bread with mayo. Combine that with fresh corn on the cob and I know summer is here.

Hi Robin

Are BLTs really about the tomato, or are they just an excuse to eat extra bacon?

Well, I don't know that I need any excuses to eat more bacon. One of the world's great sandwich fillings, no matter how it's dressed up.

[Robin Garr]

Are bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches ever out of season? The mere thought sends shivers down my spine...

Rogov, in the Upper South, where I live, in-season local tomatoes, like seasonal local peaches, are so much superior to the industrial-shipped-in product that we simply won't eat them until the real thing is available. Better a shorter season of perfection than a year of compromise. I have spoken.

(Bacon, however, is year-round.)

[Jenise]

It's mid-July, and right on schedule, our beefsteak tomatoes are starting to produce. We sliced one thick and had memorable BLTs on rye toast (with some delicious locally produced bacon from Dreamcatcher Farm) . Too good. Just too good.

I hate you.

I love BLT's, Club Sandwiches etc. They're definitely my kind of sandwiches...

Of course, the ideal BLT for me is actually just a BL. No sense in letting the "T" destroy what is otherwise a most delicious combination...

Jeff

[Robin Garr]

I hate you.

You can get your payback when the Ohio Valley is shivering under a January cold spell. Brrrr!!

BLT sandwiches are NOTHING without that fresh garden tomato, just nothing!

[Robin Garr]

No sense in letting the "T" destroy what is otherwise a most delicious combination...

I hear you, Jeff, but what works for you doesn't work for me. Toast completes the BLT's perfect combination of flavors and textures.

Of course, I'm not talking Wonder Bread here. We use a decent thin-sliced Chicago rye from a local specialty-food shop. toasted just medium so it's got a warm crispy edge but doesn't turn into Rye-Krisp.

[Robin Garr]

BLT sandwiches are NOTHING without that fresh garden tomato, just nothing!

Just what I told Rogov, Karen! I'd rather pass until local tomatoes are in ... July through late October if we're lucky, although I've noticed that the plants generally stop bearing when the days get shorter even if it's still warm, which it usually is here in October.

OOOOH!

BLFGT - Applewood smoked bacon, fried green tomatoes, lettuce, and remoulade mayo are a favorite in our house

Nothing like a BLT with a perfect summer tomato and leaf lettuce. MMmmm. Don't cringe but sometimes I like them with Miracle Whip, the way my Mom used to make them.

PS. A couple in our wine group makes an amazing "BLT" appetizer. It's a bowl full of chopped bacon mixed with chopped tomatoes (bruschetta sized dice) and shredded iceberg lettuce held together with mayo. They serve it with sliced baguette to pile the mixture atop.

[Jenise]

BLFGT - Applewood smoked bacon, fried green tomatoes, lettuce, and remoulade mayo are a favorite in our house

Stacking the bacon, FGT's and lettuce on a plate and drizzling with a remoulade vinaigrette would make an awesome salad. Garnish with blue cheese.

[Jenise]

Don't cringe but sometimes I like them with Miracle Whip, the way my Mom used to make them.

CRINGE!!!!!

Don't cringe but sometimes I like them with Miracle Whip, the way my Mom used to make them.

CRINGE!!!!!

I can't help but wonder, though: Are BLTs really about the tomato, or are they just an excuse to eat extra bacon?

It's all about the synergy, man.....

Don't cringe but sometimes I like them with Miracle Whip, the way my Mom used to make them.

I certainly don't think any less of you! That's the only choice we would ever fathom using when it comes to simple, homemade BLT's...

For me, a fresh (homemade) BLT without it, is sort of like having a hot dog without condiments or toppings. At least some form of "mayo" is a necessity. So I like the lighter-bodied, slightly sweet tang that Miracle Whip adds to especially BLT's. Whereas, with a burger, I'd actually prefer a more true mayonnaise.

Then again, as has likely been observed by now, my tastes in comfort foods are often old-fashioned and "mainstream". In other words, not always healthy...

Jeff

PS. A couple in our wine group makes an amazing "BLT" appetizer. It's a bowl full of chopped bacon mixed with chopped tomatoes (bruschetta sized dice) and shredded iceberg lettuce held together with mayo. They serve it with sliced baguette to pile the mixture atop.

We attended a pot luck picnic this evening for a bunch of families who are hosting exchange students this month. I didn't have much time between getting home from work and going to this thing so I had pretty much resigned myself to bringing potato chips (my wife had made cookies, so we were at least bringing something homemade). Then I saw your post, Carrie, and figured there was no reason not to do a BLT salad. I ran over to the corner store and bought a pound of applewood smoked bacon, a bunch of cherry tomatoes (the larger ones aren't in yet) and a head of iceberg lettuce. While the bacon cooked, I quartered the tomatoes and shredded the lettuce. When the bacon cooled, I chopped it up and threw it into a bowl with the L and the T and a bit of mayo. That was it. The whole thing was done in very short order and it was a hit. I think it would be better as a bruschetta, but a salad was easier to handle and transport.

So thanks, Carrie!

PS. A couple in our wine group makes an amazing "BLT" appetizer. It's a bowl full of chopped bacon mixed with chopped tomatoes (bruschetta sized dice) and shredded iceberg lettuce held together with mayo. They serve it with sliced baguette to pile the mixture atop.

We attended a pot luck picnic this evening for a bunch of families who are hosting exchange students this month. I didn't have much time between getting home from work and going to this thing so I had pretty much resigned myself to bringing potato chips (my wife had made cookies, so we were at least bringing something homemade). Then I saw your post, Carrie, and figured there was no reason not to do a BLT salad. I ran over to the corner store and bought a pound of applewood smoked bacon, a bunch of cherry tomatoes (the larger ones aren't in yet) and a head of iceberg lettuce. While the bacon cooked, I quartered the tomatoes and shredded the lettuce. When the bacon cooled, I chopped it up and threw it into a bowl with the L and the T and a bit of mayo. That was it. The whole thing was done in very short order and it was a hit. I think it would be better as a bruschetta, but a salad was easier to handle and transport.

So thanks, Carrie!

I'm so glad to hear it, Mike! Starting to get a serious craving for that now...will have to make when we are done traveling.

My fave version is BLTC (Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Cheese).

On Pepperidge Farm Sourdough bread (decent-wide sliced bread) that is lightly toasted, then smeared with our good local JFG Mayo (rather "eggy" tasting mayo... better than Hellman's or Kraft IMO)... then layer tomato, bacon slices, cheese, tomato, bacon, cheese then lettuce.

(the bacon is usually applewood-smoked Nueske's bacon, or one of our local farmer's applewood-smoked bacon when I make the trip to get it)

YUM.

That BLT salad definitely sounds intriguing.... might have to do that up.

Oh - and my sammiches are mainly a bacon-delivery system although I don't skimp on the tomato . . .

Thanks,
Mike