Bacon Lettuce and Heirloom tomato sandwich

This is just a fun, simple twist to a classic. Heirloom tomatoes are not always available, but I like to grab some when I find them. Most produce shops will have them. They come in all kinds of colors and tend to be a little sweeter than their common counterparts.

Now for the main part of the sandwich, the bacon. There are many available options when you choose your bacon. Again, it's a personal preference, but for this sandwich, I like a center-thick-cut bacon. I try to shy away from overly flavored choices like maple-smoked, etc. As far as cooking the bacon, I would recommend following the directions on the package, which I will do for this particular recipe. I will cover the different ways to cook bacon in another post.

Since this is essentially a pretty straightforward and simple recipe, I like to focus on the flavors and how they play with each other. I prefer regular mayonnaise; some of the brands out there have added sugar and/or flavorings. Ideally, I would make my own, and if I have the time, I like to make my own. I will cover that in another post.

I lI like to have a nice bottle of olive oil on hand. There are hundreds of options for olive oil. You don’t need to break the bank, but at least try to find something on the middle shelf, if not higher. A nice bottle of olive oil is essential for home kitchens. Just a very light brush on the bread helps with the toasting.

As far as the rest, make sure to wash your lettuce; it grows in the dirt, and nobody wants that in their sandwich. Now it’s time for the tomatoes. You may or may not remember the infomercial with the sharp knife that can cut through a tin can and then slice a tomato paper-thin. Not everyone has access to a razor-sharp knife, even though a good, sharp chef’s knife is a necessary item to have in your kitchen. If your knife isn’t up to the challenge, you can use a serrated bread knife; it works just fine.

Just like any recipes, you can add or leave off whatever you like. Have fun and enjoy!

Ingredients:

- 4 slices of good-quality bread (sourdough or whole grain recommended)

- 4 slices of cooked bacon

- 1-2 heirloom tomatoes, sliced

- Leafy Romaine or Butter lettuce

- Mayonnaise (optional)

- Salt and pepper to taste

- Olive oil (for toasting, optional)

Instructions:

1. Toast the Bread:

   - If desired, lightly brush the bread with olive oil and toast it in a skillet or toaster until golden brown.

2. Prepare the Ingredients:

   - Cook the bacon until crispy. Drain on paper towels. 

   - Wash the lettuce leaves and pat dry.

   - Slice the heirloom tomatoes to your desired thickness.

3. Assemble the Sandwich:

   - Spread mayonnaise on one or both sides of the toasted bread if using.

   - Layer the bacon slices on one slice of bread.

   - Add the sliced heirloom tomatoes on top of the bacon.

   - Season the tomatoes with a little salt and pepper.

   - Add the lettuce on top of the tomatoes.

   - Top with the second slice of bread.

4. Serve:

   - Cut the sandwich diagonally for a classic presentation. Enjoy your fresh, delicious bacon, lettuce, and heirloom tomato sandwich!