A BLT is a staple in American cuisine. Needing only a few simple ingredients means using only ingredients of the highest quality. This California-Style ABLT (Avocado, Bacon, Lettuce, And Tomato) is a whole different level of deliciousness. Thick-cut applewood smoked bacon, thick-sliced heirloom tomatoes, and leafy greens make the ultimate BLT sandwich. Avocado puts the “A” in BLT giving a much-loved traditional sandwich a California-style makeover.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yields: 2 servings
Equipment: 1 rimmed baking sheet pan with a rack, 12-inch sauté pan, small mixing bowl

Ingredients:
8 slices of thick-cut applewood bacon
2 heirloom tomatoes, 1/2-inch thick slices
Romaine lettuce, substitute leafy greens
1 sliced avocado
1 (7-ounce) store-bought container of fresh basil pesto
1 teaspoon of Kosher salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, divided
1/2 cup of good mayonnaise
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) of butter, unsalted
4 slices of Ciabatta Bread, buttered and toasted

Pesto Mayonnaise:
1/2 cup of mayonnaise
1 heaping tablespoon of fresh store-bought basil pesto

Directions For Pesto Mayonnaise:
In a small mixing bowl add 1/2 cup of mayonnaise with 1 tablespoon of fresh basil pesto, stir to combine.

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400-degrees F.
Place the rack in the lower third of the oven. Use a foiled covered baking sheet with a rack. This makes for crispier bacon because it cooks the bacon from all sides. The bacon should take anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes. Check the bacon progress after 12 minutes. Once fully cooked, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with a paper towel.

In a sauté pan over medium heat melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Cooking two slices of bread at a time, rub one side of each slice of bread in the butter and flip it over and rub the other side. Once both sides are coated in butter, cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side or until light golden brown. Repeat this process for the next two slices.

Spread a light coating of pesto mayo on all four slices. Place the lettuce down first, then the bacon, then tomato, with a very light sprinkling of Kosher salt, and then the avocado with another sprinkling of Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Set the tops on each sandwich and they’re ready to serve.

There you have it, my California-Style ABLT (Avocado, Bacon, Lettuce, And Tomato).