Bacon, Lettuce, and Avocado Sandwich with Herb Aioli
This culinary exploration delves into an innovative twist on the beloved BLT, substituting ripe avocado for traditional tomatoes and elevating the flavor profile with a vivid herb aioli. The recipe meticulously guides readers through crafting this unique sandwich, ensuring a delightful balance of textures and tastes. It also emphasizes the importance of utilizing bacon fat to toast the bread, a technique that imparts a rich, savory depth and a desirable crispness, making this sandwich a year-round indulgence.
The concept for this Green BLA (bacon, lettuce, avocado) sandwich originates from Amanda Stanfield in Serious Eats' Birmingham test kitchen. Stanfield's ingenious approach retains the quintessential elements of a great BLT—the crunchy bacon and crisp lettuce—while ingeniously incorporating creamy avocado as a substitute for tomatoes when they are not in season. This replacement provides a luscious, smooth layer that enriches the sandwich, moving beyond a mere substitution to become a distinct and equally satisfying creation.
To counteract the richness of the avocado and bacon, a brightly flavored herb aioli is introduced. This aioli, inspired by culinary director Kenji's quick immersion blender method, is infused with an assortment of fresh herbs such as basil, cilantro, parsley, or dill. The blending process transforms these ingredients into a smooth, green spread that delivers a pungent and acidic kick, perfectly cutting through the fattiness of the other components. This versatile aioli can also be used in other sandwiches or, for convenience, store-bought mayonnaise can be enhanced with finely minced herbs.
A crucial step in perfecting this sandwich involves toasting the bread in reserved bacon fat. This technique, reminiscent of making a grilled cheese sandwich, calls for gentle, consistent heat to achieve uniform browning. The result is a profoundly golden and crisp bread surface that not only adds to the savory foundation of the sandwich but also prevents sogginess, even when laden with aioli and avocado slices. This thoughtful preparation ensures that the sandwich remains structurally sound and flavorful throughout.
The recipe details the preparation of the green aioli, advising the use of a tall cup or jar that snugly fits an immersion blender head. Fresh egg, minced garlic, and lemon juice form the base, with neutral and extra-virgin olive oils added later. The immersion blender emulsifies these ingredients into a thick aioli, which is then blended with fresh herbs until smooth and vibrant. Seasoning with salt and pepper completes this crucial component, which can be prepared up to three days in advance.
For the sandwich assembly, thick-cut bacon is cooked in a large skillet until perfectly crisp, with a portion of the drippings reserved for toasting the bread. The bread slices are then cooked in this flavorful bacon fat over medium-low heat until golden brown and toasted. Finally, lettuce is lightly tossed with white balsamic or apple cider vinegar, and the toasted bread slices are spread with the herb aioli. Layers of avocado, bacon, and dressed lettuce are then assembled between the bread, creating a robust and satisfying sandwich that can be enjoyed any time of the year.
This innovative BLA sandwich, with its rich avocado, crispy bacon, and bright herb aioli, transcends the seasonal limitations of its tomato-based counterpart. By meticulously balancing flavors and textures, and incorporating smart cooking techniques like toasting bread in bacon fat, this recipe delivers a consistently satisfying and flavorful experience, proving that a classic can always be reimagined with delicious results.
