California BLT's

Like Emeril says, “Pork fat rules!” I love bacon and, quite frankly, everything tastes better with bacon. I know it’s not good for you but bacon is so tasty. Add bacon on a sandwich and it takes the sandwich to a whole other level.

Sandwiches can be as exotic as you like, with all sorts of fancy ingredients. But, there is nothing quite as heartwarming as a “BLT.” Add some avocado and you’ve got an awesome BLT. Enjoy!

California BLT’s

Ingredients
6 thick-cut slices smoked bacon
4 slices good white bread, cut ½ -inch thick
4 tablespoons good mayonnaise
4 to 8 tender green lettuce leaves, washed and spun very dry
1 ripe Hass avocado
½ lemon, juiced
1 large ripe tomato, sliced 1/2 inch thick
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Place a baking wire rack on a sheet pan and arrange the bacon on the rack in a single layer. Bake for 15 to 25 minutes, until the bacon is browned and crisp. Drain on paper towels and set aside.

Place the bread slices on a sheet pan and toast them for 5 minutes. Turn the slices and toast for 1 more minute, until all the bread is evenly browned. Place 2 slices on a cutting board. Spread each slice with about 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise. Cover the slices with a layer of lettuce. Peel the avocado and slice it ½ -inch thick. Toss the avocado slices gently with the lemon juice, and arrange on top of the lettuce leaves. Place 3 slices of bacon on top of each sandwich and then add a layer of tomato slices on top of the bacon. Sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper.

Spread each of the remaining 2 slices of toasted bread with 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise and place, mayonnaise side down, on the sandwiches. Cut in half and serve.

P.S. Did you know that sandwiches are named after an actual person, (you guessed it) the English Earl of Sandwich? Apparently, the Earl of Sandwich had an obsession for gambling. Because he didn’t want to be disturbed long enough to eat a big meal, slices of bread with various fillings were brought to him at the gaming table.