Substitutions are a lifesaver when youre in the middle of cooking a specific dish. Imagine being in the cooking zone and then finding you lack a key ingredient. Panic ensues, you tear apart your pantry or fridge and lament neglecting to create a mise en place (per Webstaurant Store). Fortunately, not only are there many handy swaps for these common culinary quandaries — there are some that may actually serve to improve the dish and reach a point of perfection that the original ingredient could not.
For example, it might seem that a simple sandwich like a BLT (whose name is literally the three ingredients between the bread slices) wouldnt be possible without its signature bacon, lettuce, and tomato. Making it is pretty self-explanatory, but its worth noting that the BLT hasnt had to change since it surfaced in 1920s British cookbooks (per Georges Burgers). That doesnt mean we shouldnt make a good thing even better. There are several easy ways to make this crunchy classic even more crave-worthy, and everyone from home cooks to celebrity chefs knows what to do.
BLT with creamy Italian dressing
Answering a question posed by one Redditor on what ingredients home cooks often swap out during their cooking, one user shared “I use creamy Italian dressing instead of mayo. Try it when youre making a BLT sandwich. Its next level,” (per BuzzFeed). This will produce a festival of appealing tastes and textures similar to creamy BLT pasta salad, like Better Homes & Gardens recipe or a creamy Italian pasta salad – but without the work of boiling pasta, grating cheese, and chopping anything beyond lettuce and tomato.
In case you havent tried it, creamy Italian dressing is like its oil and vinegar-based counterpart, but with mayonnaise and sometimes other unctuous additions like sour cream, as in Food Networks creamy Italian dressing recipe. It adds an herbal dimension to the sandwich to complement its salty, smoky bacon, rich thick-cut tomato, and cool and crisp lettuce. Making your own at home is easy, and both cheaper and healthier than buying bottled stuff, which can contain excess fat, sugar, and unnecessary ingredients. For extra points, make your own mayo — its better than store-bought!
E grabbed his computer and pulled up Wikipedia. “It was said best on ‘Kitchen Confidential,’ when frisee was described as eating someone’s afro.”
I then assembled a bacon lettuce and tomato sandwich for myself the way mothers, chefs and tomato farmers intended it to be done. Frisee included.
I found a variation on the BLT without the infiltrating tomato while flipping through The Food Network magazine, which substituted peaches. That would be sure to satisfy E, I thought. But instead of arugula, I thought I’d change it up a bit and use frisee. A risk, I know, but I went with it.
I threw on the arugula with disregard for presentation or gratitude, since E had none for my choice in greens. I stocked on slices of peaches and the crispy bacon last. I then cursed his name under my breath as I sliced his sandwich in half.
“Just a little frisee on mine.” “Why?” I asked, though I knew the answer. “Let me guess. You don’t like frisee.” “Not particularly.” “Dude. Why?”
This Is The Trick To a Perfect BLT Sandwich
FAQ
How do you make a BLT without tomatoes?
What can I use instead of tomatoes in a sandwich?
Which tomato is best for a BLT sandwich?
Avoid tomatoes that feel light for their size, which means they have more air pockets inside and are typically better for saucing or salads . For a BLT, you want a tomato that drips juices down your forearm, like a rare prime rib, as you bite into the sandwich.
What is a substitute for tomatoes when allergies are present?
One of the greatest benefits of tomatoes is the presence of lycopene, a red pigment (carotenoid) that acts as an antioxidant, fighting cancer cells in the body. Because it is a carotenoid – the chemical responsible for giving the tone from yellow to red -, the tip is to consume foods that have these colors. The carrot, for example, orange in color, also works as a source of this antioxidant present in the tomato, as well as red pepper, papaya, mango and pumpkin.
Can you eat a BLT without lettuce & tomato?
Well, a BLT isn’t a BLT without lettuce and tomato. A few thin slices of tomato (about 1/4-inch thick) and some crisp lettuce round out this masterpiece. Now, I know it’s tempting to go big on the bacon, but the key here is balance — you want a little of each to create a sandwich with perfect harmony. How do you like your BLT?
What can I add to a BLT?
Meat: Add deli turkey, roast beef, or ham to increase the protein content of your BLT. Grilled chicken or steak are also delicious additions. For a leaner cut of bacon, use turkey bacon. Cheese: For a grilled cheese BLT, melt a few slices of cheese on the bread while toasting.