The BLAT Sandwich
Now, I have mentioned in earlier posts that I don’t miss meat anymore. Well, this is a giant, big fat, bold faced lie when it comes to sandwiches. For me, nothing made lunch better than bread, mayonnaise, and lots of cold cuts. Vegetables were always a seldom used option. So out of respect for the greatest lunch-time invention, over the next few weeks, I will be tossing in some lunch ideas… a “sandwich” homage if you will.
But, there is a problem with my sandwich love affair. Going vegan left me with little to put between two slices of bread. Sure you can make some good vegetable wraps (teaser for upcoming posts); however, it is hard to satisfy a “big” sandwich craving with veggies and hummus. So I was sad for a long time and cried on the inside most every noon hour.
Enter something called “smoky maple bacon tempeh.” I stumbled upon this carnilicious ingredient during a family trip to Savannah. We stopped for lunch in an organic, health food restaurant. They were serving wraps with this tempeh bacon. I inquired where one could find such an ingredient and was told you just have to look as far as your grocer’s refrigerated section.
Bells and whistles went off in my head. Angels began to sing in a chorus of salvation. I think I even heard a dove cry, but that just might have been Prince on my satellite radio. Anyway, I now had my first true sandwich ingredient. I couldn’t wait to go home, purchase some bacon tempeh, and get my sandwich on. So now with Tommy Lee banging out another awesome drum solo, I present the BLAT.
Once you make this, people will ask you “What the F#*% is a BLAT.” Well, my friends, the BLAT is my first vegan sandwich creation that dried my tears, made me happy again at lunch, and steadied my resolve in vegan dining. For the BLAT is nothing more than a (Tempeh) Bacon, Lettuce, Avocado, and Tomato sandwich. Of course, I had put my own twist into this traditional sandwich making it a shear thing of lunchtime goodness.
Ingredients
- 7 oz. Tempeh Bacon
- 1 Tbs. Olive Oil
- 1 Lrg. Tomato
- 2 Cups Baby Arugula
- 4 Slices of Wheat Bread
- 1 Med. Ripe Avocado
- ½ Tsp. Garlic Powder
- ¼ Tsp. Kosher Salt
- ¼ Tsp. Black Pepper
- 1 Tbs. Vegan Mayonnaise (optional)
Instructions
The beauty of this recipe, aside from just how good it is, is the simplicity of it all. You can easily whip this sandwich up before going to work in the morning, or you can save it for a night when you don’t have time to cook. Not to mention it travels well, so don’t leave your BLAT just for a trip to the office or school. Bring this guy on a picnic or to the pool or on a trip to your in-laws. The possibilities are endless.
So, first toast your bread if you would like. I think toasted bread adds nice crunch and makes the whole thing seem a bit more fancy. While the bread is toasting, add your oil to a skillet and get it nice and hot over medium heat. Add the bacon to the skillet and cook thoroughly, browning the bacon on both sides. If you are doing this in the morning, reserve a couple strips of the bacon and throw it into a tofu scramble.
While the bacon cooks, remove the pulp from your avocado and mash it up in a small bowl. Add in your garlic powder, salt, pepper, and mayo. Mix to combine. Now the mayo thing is optional. I think it adds a bit of creaminess to the avocado spread. Also, the acid in the mayo helps keep the avocado from turning brown. I’ll leave it up to you. But as a kid growing up in the South, no self-respecting person would serve a BLT without mayonnaise. So, in the spirit of tradition, I advise you to leave it in the spread.
Slice your tomato, and begin to assemble your sandwich. Coat each piece of bread with avocado spread. Split the bacon slices between the two sandwiches, top with tomatoes, and finally arugula. I realize the “L” in this recipe stands for lettuce (which will work), but I really like the peppery bite of arugula. Again this is your sandwich, feel free to improvise.
https://www.grassfedcarnivore.com/bacon-lettuce-and-tomato/
Tempeh bacon sizzling away
Slice in two pieces, and lunch is ready. Simple and easy, but I promise it is “Oh so good.” Hopefully, the BLAT will restore your faith in the vegan sandwich as it did for me. I just wish I had found this ingredient earlier on in my vegan quest. Tempeh Bacon would have prevented a lot of tears and mental anguish. Longer Letter Later.
Love, Bob aka The Grassfed Carnivore
Lunchtime Goodness
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