The BLT is my favorite summer meal, but it's also one of the more misunderstood sandwiches. How can a sandwich be misunderstood you ask? Well, if you think that bacon is the "meat" of the sandwich, that's the first misconception. You might be tempted to pile 6 slices of bacon on your sammich, but don't do it! (2 per sandwich is enough). The bacon is only there to lend a smoky saltiness to bring out the flavor of the tomato.
The tomato is the "meat" in this case, so slice it thick like a steak, and try to find a tomato that's almost as large as the bread. Don't be tempted by those slightly pink, crunchy, tomato look-a-likes in the store. Very few tomatoes are worth this leading role. That's why we only eat BLTs in the summer.
Don't forget salt and pepper and mayo, your trusty sandwich lubricant! Often all a good tomato needs is a little salt. That's why the bacon is so harmonious. But adding a little extra seasoning helps compensate for the lettuce, which adds crunch and texture, but not a lot of flavor.
The BLT is a lesson in simplicity: how certain combinations just work together without any "clutter," and at the heart of it, the importance of quality ingredients.
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