BLT’s, Dressed Up
You may remember my post a few weeks back on Loaded Fries. A few of us on Twitter got together and made our own versions of the classic junk food, loaded fries. We called it #GoJunkFood. Chris Perrin challenged me again last week to do the same, but this time we tackled the classic BLT. The idea for this challenge was to dress them up and make them a little more gourmet then they are. Is mine gourmet? I don’t know about that, but it is one damn fine BLT, if I do say so.
BLT’s are their best right about this time of year, when tomatoes are at their peak--perfectly red, ripe, and all juicy drippy. (At least here in the Northeast.) Bacon? Well, that’s good anytime of year, isn’t it? If I’d had more time, I would have made my own bacon. YES-you can make your own bacon at home, and it’s ridiculously simple!
I was wondering what I could add or change that would make a BLT really special. I wandered over to figs (in my mind) and thought, “Hmmm, interesting…” I was lucky to find some at our local farm, and bonus--only $2.99! Then I realized I could make figs even more interesting if I grilled them. B was grilling/smoking chicken that evening, so smoked figs made it on the menu. If you’ve never had a smoked fig, RUN out and do it right now. We use a blend of pecan wood and shells from a supplier that B had tracked down online.
Enough talk, let’s EAT!
BFLT’s
- Your choice of bread
- Bacon (we used a locally raised bacon from a local farm)
- Tomatoes (fresh Heirloom, if you can find them.)
- Smoked Figs
- Horseradish Mayo
- Lettuce (also locally grown)
To grill the figs:
Wash the figs and slice them in half. Toss with a little balsamic vinegar and brown sugar. Grill for about 3 minutes per side.
If you're going to smoke them, follow directions for your smoker. It doesn't take very long for them to get a nice smoky flavor--just a few minutes.
To make the horseradish mayo, just stir some horseradish right into your favorite mayo, which, for me--is Hellman's.
Assemble your BFLT’s and dig in!
Check out the BLT that Chris made with Sriracha Seafood Salad!
Heather also made her version last week: Bacon, Apple and Brie Sandwich
Elle | Print Article | Share Article | Email Article | 14 Comments tagged #GoJunkFood, BLT, bacon, grilled figs, lettuce, new england, recipe, smoked figs, tomato
Reader Comments (14)
Ok, you seriously know the way to my heart. Figs are one of my favorite foods and well... I think you know how I feel about bacon. Holy yum.
Nice!!! I think adding figs to something definitely gourmets it up a bit!! I would never have thought to add figs and the food looks just absolutely gorgeous.
I made mine last week because i am a bacon psychic - yeaaaa...
Seriously, this sounds AMAZING! I would have never thought to slap some fig on a bacon sandwich but it makes perfect sense.
AND YOUR EATING MEAT???? GASP!
That looks phenomenal! Love the addition of figs... sweet + salty is amazing together!
Jenn
Jessica--thank you! If you love figs, stay tuned... ;)
Thanks very much, Chris!
Heather--totally psychic! Spooky. Yeah--meat! We're comfortably settled in as Flexitarians, so have meat on occasion. Thanks!
Thanks, Jenn! The flavors do go so well together.
Oh smoked figs what a great idea!
Gorgeous sandwich! I love figs but have never thought of them on a blt! Figs are just getting ripe here- I'm sure there's somebody around that I can scrounge some from, as I'm thinking that I need to make this. Hellman's is my favorite mayo as well!
Thanks, Kathy! My fig soul sistah! hehe..
Thank you, Betty! I couldn't live without Hellman's. It really is the best!
Looks amazing and I'm certainly intrigued by the addition of figs; especially since I love fruit that is grilled, that smokey depth does something to it!
But have to say, and hope you don't mind my moving away from the food but the dog? Sooo cute! My daughter has a Corgi, that photo could be her; all of my grandmotherly (do not let her know I actually said that!) feelings come into play. Did I say Soooooo Cute?!
Wow, this looks so good, Elle. Figs and bacon are an awesome combination! Definitely a grown up BLT!
Thanks Barbara! Had to laugh at your grandma comment, hehe.
Thank you, Jenn!
do i want your sandwich? yes. more than that, though, i want your dog. not to eat, mind you, but to call my very own. :)
Grace, thank you! She is cute, isn't she? Little brat, though. ;) Deceiving face.
Wow... I've never even heard of smoked figs, but I can imagine they make a great addition to an already smoky sandwich with bacon!