“Every time I have a BLT, I think to myself (or possibly say out loud):
“I FORGOT HOW GOOD THESE ARE!”
Bacon makes everything tasty, but do you know what makes these even tastier?
Farm stand tomatoes. Oh man! Where I live, the tomatoes are at their very best right now.
They are ridiculously good! I’m buying them up, borrowing from neighbors’ gardens and putting them in every dish I know how. And my husband is requesting BLTs.
But if you have another dish to make and you just want a taste of BLT, just make these as a simple, yummy appetizer. You won’t regret it.
I sliced my tomatoes, cooked the bacon and cut it into 4 pieces per strip. Use thick bacon.
Thin sliced bacon has a place and purpose in the world, but it has not business being on BLTs.
Also, tear your lettuce. I love to use butter lettuce, but in these pictures, I was using green leaf lettuce.
I also like to season the tomatoes with a little salt and pepper and give the bacon a little pepper too.
I pick up a loaf of freshly baked french baguette from my grocery store.
I slice it up, then cut each slice in half.
Next, I toasted the bread. I put it in the oven on 450 for just a couple of minutes. I watch it closely because the point of lightly brown to charcoal is a short time.
Next I added spicy mayo. Spicy mayo is just mayo mixed with hot sauce. It adds a nice little kick! It’s up to you how spicy you want it. I usually just add 1/4 to 1/2 a tsp. in my little bowl of mayo. I put it in a sqeezie bottle sometimes just to have on hand. You know how I love squeezie bottles! <3
Then I stack it in this order: bacon, lettuce, more bacon and tomato!
Then put a toothpick in it.
Now it is ready for guests to have two little bites of heaven.
And you have to admit the presentation is pretty darling. Who doesn’t love a baby BLT?
I ran a little taste panel on these appetizers, with subtle variations to see what people preferred.
I thought I’d tell you the results of my small group’s opinions.
Bread: I served them with a slice on top and bottom vs. an open face BLT. Open face BLT won!
I also tried it with toasted vs. soft bread. Toasted won!
I tried buttering the bread before it went in the oven vs. leaving it dry. There was no preference.
(Once the mayo was on, it added some moisture and they couldn’t which bread had been buttered).
Bacon: I served some with different amounts. One left them wanting more bacon ratio and three was too much. My taste testers preferred two slices.
Tomato: I made some with a cherry tomato and some with sliced. Sliced was preferred.
Lettuce: Most people didn’t like too much lettuce. Just a little for the crunch factor.
Mayo: Spicy mayo was for sure preferred over regular mayo.
Don’t laugh, I take crowd pleasing appetizers very seriously. I can’t go on my opinion alone.
I prefer these with a little slice of avocado on top too, but they brown pretty fast and if you’re making a lot, they can’t sit and wait.
I’m sure any way you do it though, you won’t get complaints. You will just get someone saying,
“I forgot how much I love BLTs!”
You must be a mind reader. I was just thinking that a BLT sounded so good to me! If you have it open faced it is less carbs too. If you are counting ๐
What a great idea!!! My husband and I were just brainstorming finger foods for an upcoming get together we're hosting and this would be perfect. THANKS!!!!!!
i am in the "i love blts!" boat for sure. love, love, love the appetizer idea. i just made some delicious burgers that called for avocado slices, but i opted to make it into a guacamole spread which was even better. i wonder if a little green guacamole spread on these would work for those (like myself) that enjoy a california version of the tasty and delicious blt?
love your blog, ash!
They look so pretty! I don't think I have ever called a sandwich pretty before ๐
MMMmmmm, I'm making these!
This is such an awesome idea! Mini things are so adorable too.
I now know what I'm making for lunch today…Thanks!
Great idea…I'd have to make mine with veggie bacon : )
Those look great! My secret to BLTs is blue cheese crumbles. Puts them over the top at our house!
In my family, BLT's are quite the regular all time summer dinner. We grow tomatoes just for BLT's and making salsa!!
We actually made BLT's just the other night and I'm sure we'll make them again before the week is over. I think I'll try spicing up the mayo next time!
BLT is my favorite deli sandwich ever! These look delicious! I pinned this as a reminder. ๐ Thanks for sharing!! Oh, found you through Be Different, Act Normal by Lorie!
Try mashing up an avocado w/your mayo…SOOOOOO good!
I am obsessed w/BLTs lately and will be serving these babies this weekend! Thank you for posting this! ๐
Delish and adorbs!!
I love all of the BLT discussion and suggestions in these comments. It's kind of like "how do you eat your oreo." We are just playing the game of "how we like our BLTs! I'm going to have to try some guac, avocado with mayo, blue cheese and veggie bacon. All great options. I'm glad some of you are making these at your parties. I love it!
Looks delicious! Thanks for the inspiration!
Is there a vegan BLT receipe ??