California BLTs
Prepare a gourmet California BLT featuring crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, ripe tomato, and creamy avocado on perfectly toasted white bread. This easy recipe uses baking to achieve ideal bacon texture and simple layering for a classic yet elevated sandwich experience.
Equipment
- 1 Sheet Pan For baking bacon and toasting bread
- 1 Wire Rack To drain bacon while baking
- 1 Cutting Board For preparing avocado, tomato, and assembling/cutting sandwiches
- 1 Knife For slicing ingredients
- 1 Paper Towels For draining cooked bacon
Ingredients
Main
- 6 thick-cut slices smoked bacon
- 4 slices good white bread cut 1/2-inch thick
- 4 tablespoons good mayonnaise recommended: Hellman's
- 4 to 8 tender green lettuce leaves washed and spun very dry
- 1 ripe Hass avocado
- 1/2 lemon juiced
- 1 large ripe tomato sliced 1/2-inch thick
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- 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 1/2-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.
Notes
For truly crisp bacon, ensure it's in a single layer and bake until deeply browned. Don't drain the bacon until just before assembly to keep it warm and pliable enough to arrange but without excess grease. Toast the bread evenly to provide structural integrity and a pleasing crunch against the soft fillings. Tossing the avocado with lemon juice not only prevents oxidation but adds a zesty counterpoint to the richness. Build the sandwich carefully, layering ingredients to ensure even distribution of flavor and texture in each bite.