OMG-who’d have thought a BLT could be improved? I’ve been trying to eat buy less bread but have been craving a BLT. Well, this is my dream, um recipe: BLT Made Better. I’m still in my basil phase, and what’s left of my tomatoes aren’t really making it to the ripe stage; hence this jewel. I’d like to think this is healthier than a standard BLT, because hey, I did saute in only a smidgen of olive oil–that’s healthy, no? I mean, look–it has three different kinds of tomatoes on it! Okay, I know it doesn’t have healthy lettuce, but a basil aioli isn’t exactly the ugliest girl at the prom!
It looks like a lot of ingredients and bowls, but I actually had the kitchen cleaned up before the tomatoes were finished frying. That way nothing, and I mean nothing, could come between me and my slices of heaven….
BLT Made Better (makes 2)
4 slices of bacon
1 green tomato, sliced into ¼” rounds
¼ cup cornmeal
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
1 egg
3 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup mayonnaise
1 clove of garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon chiffonade basil
1 squeeze fresh lemon juice
Dash of salt
1 red or yellow tomato, sliced into ¼” rounds
Cut bacon in half cross-wise (you will have 8 slices). Fry or nuke until crisp. Set aside.
Mix cornmeal and flour (you can season if you’d like) in shallow bowl. In small bowl, beat egg. Mix panko, seasoned salt and ground pepper in separate shallow bowl.
Dredge green tomato slices in cornmeal/flour, dip both sides in egg, and then dredge in panko mixture.
In small bowl, mix mayo, garlic, basil, lemon juice, and dash of salt. Set aside.
Heat olive oil in shallow fry pan over medium-low heat. Saute green tomatoes on both sides until golden brown.
Assemble as follows: green tomato slice, fresh tomato slice, 2 slices bacon, dollop of mayo mixture, fresh tomato slice, 2 slices bacon, dollop of mayo mixture, top with green tomato slice. Eat with gusto and plenty of napkins!
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