A BLT is my favorite sandwich, and one that I order to judge a restaurant's capabilities. There are so many ways to screw it up: mediocre bread, underdone or overdone bacon, pink tomatoes, runny mayonnaise, soggy lettuce. When done right, though, there's nothing to top it. So why deconstruct it? It's perfect the way it is.
It is a perfect sandwich, but the salad may be - and this is heresy - even better. First, I was lucky enough to make this during the height of fresh tomato season, and to buy some organic arugula at the same Farmer's Market stand I got the tomatoes. The arugula adds a welcome peppery bite to the mix.
The croutons, made with bread from Patisserie 46, was good to start with, and even better when it was crisped and flavored with great bacon.
And the eggs give the sandwich some added heft and nutrition (in case you're feeling guilty about the bacon fat croutons).
I almost skipped the blob of mayonnaise on top the salad, figuring that I didn't really need both salad dressing and mayonnaise. But it turned out to be a nice touch, especially good for dipping the bacon-flavored croutons.
I wouldn't bother with this salad during the winter (unless I lived someplace where I could get tomatoes year round). Its success depends on the quality of the ingredients, and tomatoes are not worth eating in January. But in the brief tomato season, which is coincidentally also a time for a second crop of arugula, it's worth eating at least once a week.
Marie-Helene's Apple Cake - A Recipe Catch-Up
Everyone else made this cake last October - almost a year ago. I'm a year late, but glad to make it to the party eventually. A moist (maybe almost too moist?) cake brimming with apples and dead easy to make. A handy dessert to have in your repertoire.
oooh, I'm going to make the apple cake this weekend!! :) I dont care much for arugula, so I used romaine but I still would prefer the sandwich over the deconstructed salad.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this salad too. I though the arugula was a wonderful addition! I'm going to have to start using it more often!
ReplyDeleteWho knew that a BLT was so many people's favorite sandwich? It's always been my go-to diner lunch. Yum.
ReplyDeleteMmmmm I loooved that apple cake.
Your salad looks delicious. I also loved the cake!
ReplyDeleteI agree about the tomatoes - fresh, in-season, or nothing. Guess I won't be making this again until next Summer! Oh, and love the apple cake!
ReplyDeleteThis was great with the ripest tomatoes. I love a good BLT, but this salad was excellent. I'm glad you liked it too.
ReplyDeleteMy husband calls that cake "devil cake" because if it's in the house, he can't stop eating it! LOL...
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked the salad, I definitely think bacon-y croutons are a good thing!
Agreed - the success of this salad definitely depends on the ingredients.
ReplyDeleteThe cake was a nice catch up - that was one good cake.
Mayo in a BLT is a must!!! I'm glad you didn't skip it! Why bother without it? Glad you got to that apple cake. It is the Dorie recipe that I have made the most since starting FFwD.
ReplyDeleteok. trying comments in new browser. Your salad looks great!
ReplyDeleteI need to make Marie-Helene's cake stat. Thanks for the inspiration. The salad looks very tasty. I was also lucky and had great bread on hand for the croutons.
ReplyDelete