A Different Kind of BLT

I’m not usually one to leave well enough alone when it comes to food. Don’t get me wrong, there are some things that are perfect just the way they are, and should never be messed with. (Here’s looking at you vanilla ice cream.) But most of the time, it’s nice (and incredibly delicious!) to mix things up a little and experiment with new flavor combinations.

I thought a BLT might be better if I made it with fried green tomatoes and arugula instead of the traditional ripe tomatoes and iceberg or romaine lettuce. It’s not just better, it’s amazingly delicious! The fried green tomatoes are a little tangy and the arugula is a little peppery. Combined with nice crispy bacon, it’s a match made in heaven. 

The fried green tomatoes reheat fairly well, so it works well to make a lot so you can have leftovers. Trust me, you’re going to want another one of these sandwiches the next day.

Fried Green Tomatoes (click here for the recipe)

Crispy cooked bacon

Arugula

Sliced bread (I used multi-grain bread. I think it’s best with whatever kind of bread you prefer for sandwiches.)

Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip

I toasted my bread because, honestly, I can’t stand soft/soggy bread. I think a sandwich on untoasted bread is positively disgusting. In this case, I think toasting the bread is definitely the better course even if you’re not obsessed with toasted bread. The sandwich is pretty thick and hearty, and I think the toasted bread helps keep it together.

Spread two slice of toasted bread with mayonnaise or Miracle Whip, and pile on the bacon, fried green tomatoes, and arugula. That’s it! Enjoy!

Sandwich Day

Today is Sandwich Day. You can read more about it here, but basically it’s a day to appreciate sandwiches by biting into your favorite sandwich.

In honor of Sandwich Day, here are two of my favorite sandwich recipes:

Chicken Salad Sandwich:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parsley for cooking)

1½ cups seedless green grapes

½ cup seedless red grapes

1 medium apple, chopped (any kind works, my favorite is Granny Smith)

¼ cup honey mustard

2/3 cup Miracle Whip

Place chicken breasts in slow cooker with spices and cover with water. Cover and cook on Low for 3 – 5 hours. When chicken is fully cooked remove from water and shred with a fork. Allow chicken to cool to room temperature. Combine chicken with remaining ingredients, mixing well.

These are great on onion rolls or croissants.


Fried Green Tomato Grilled Cheese Sandwich:

Fried Green Tomatoes (click here for the recipe)
Loaf of French bread, sliced into pieces about ½ inch thick)
Sliced Provolone Cheese
Butter

Place one slice of Provolone Cheese on a piece of bread, top with tomato slice, top with a second slice of Provolone Cheese, top with second piece of bread. Butter top and bottom of sandwich; Heat a large skillet over Medium-High heat and fry sandwiches until golden brown on both sides.

So what about you? What are your favorite sandwiches? Will you be enjoying a sandwich today?

Fried Green Tomatoes

Since the weather is warm and produce stands are opening and expanding their offerings I thought this would be a good time to share one of my favorite recipes:

Fried Green Tomatoes 

The key to delicious fried green tomatoes is using VERY green tomatoes, not any that are beginning to ripen.  You will want to buy (or pick) them the day you plan to fry them, or at least no more than one day earlier.  Frying them in olive oil, rather than vegetable oil, also gives them a better over-all flavor.

Green tomatoes, sliced into thin round pieces

1 cup cornmeal

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

Bowl of water

Olive oil

Combine cornmeal, salt, and pepper, in a small bowl.  (This mixture works to coat about 3 green tomatoes.)  Heat olive oil in large skillet over Medium-High heat. Dip tomato slices in water before dipping in cornmeal mixture.  This will help the cornmeal mixture stick to them better.  Make sure tomatoes are well coated on both sides.  Fry tomatoes until golden brown on each side.  Drain on paper towels.  Serve warm.