I need your attention here. This sandwich is EPIC. In fact, it’s in the running for the most flavorful, best-tasting deli-style sandwich of all time. It’s built on the foundation of a tried and true classic–the B.L.T.–then upgraded about 10 notches with some of the biggest names in tangy, sweet, umami, and fresh flavors, plus creamy, chewy, crisp, and satisfying textures.
The Secrets
The biggest selling point for me was the remarkable balance that resulted from marrying ingredients that otherwise sound super pungent on their own (i.e. preserved seafood, onion, vinegar, goat cheese)… But TRUST ME. The key to not just bold, but truly yummy, harmonious, finger-licking flavor is:
- the sweet: honey goat cheese, fresh basil, sweet peppadews, homemade pickled red onions, extra sweet ripe tomatoes (such as grape tomatoes)
- the umami: bacon (pork or turkey, fresh or pre-cooked), high quality smoked salmon, everything seasoning (with garlic and sesame seeds)
- the spice: chipotle hot sauce, touch of heat from the peppadews, old fashioned Dijon mustard (or spicy Dijon for an extra kick)
- the cool and creamy: ripe avocado, creamy chipotle mayo, and honey goat cheese with its lightly sweet, milder flavor
- the fresh: crisp green leaf lettuce, juicy ripe tomato, fresh basil (or try this lightly dried basil!)
All layered between soft yet hearty, seeded whole grain bread. This would also work beautifully on toasted ciabatta, sourdough, or rye.
Ingredients
- 2 slices whole grain/seeded, rye, or sourdough bread
- Dijon mustard (whole grain/country)
- 1-2 oz smoked salmon
- 1 slice bacon, cooked and torn (turkey or pork bacon, pan-cooked on both sides until crisp or pre-cooked for convenience)
- 1/4 ripe avocado, sliced
- 1/2-1 oz honey goat cheese, crumbled
- pickled red onion (may sub raw sliced red onion)
- chopped peppadew pepper (or other marinated pepper, optional)
- sliced tomato
- everything seasoning, to taste
- sprinkle basil (fresh torn leaves or lightly dried)
- green leaf lettuce
For the chipotle mayo:
- 2 tsp mayo
- 1/2 tsp chipotle hot sauce, or to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the mayo and chipotle hot sauce until smooth. Adjust hot sauce to taste.
- Spread Dijon on one slice of bread and chipotle mayo on the other. On top of the Dijon, layer smoked salmon, torn bacon, sliced avocado, crumbled honey goat cheese, pickled red onion and peppadew pepper, sliced tomato, a sprinkle of everything seasoning, sprinkle basil, couple leaves of lettuce, and the top slice of bread, chipotle mayo face-down.
- Slice and enjoy!