You know that team building exercise you might play at sleep-away camp that requires you to fall backwards into the waiting arms of a fellow camper? The Trust Fall? The basic idea is that you completely let yourself fall backwards, trusting that the person behind you has arms outstretched to catch you before you hit the ground. It’s a very literal way of saying “Hey! I’ve got your back!” or “Don’t worry, I’ll catch you if you fall.” If the person you’ve entrusted to catch you is not paying attention and flirting with her sleep-away boyfriend as you fall… well, you might have trust issues for life. Not cool.
I bring up the old Trust Fall because we’re talking about sandwiches. Sandwiches are serious business. I feel like I need to do a good round of Trust Falling with someone before we’re allowed to make each other sandwiches. Like I said… sandwiches are serious.
I need to know that someone has got my back when they make me a sandwich. Who’s making me a sandwich? No one… that’s not the point. It’s all about trust, and care and attention. Like… which slices of bread they choose from the loaf, and how the mayonnaise doesn’t sneak over the edges, and how the tomato slices are just thin enough, and the lettuce is mostly dry from the washing. Sandwiches have a lot of details. There’s a lot going on. I need to trust that my sandwich maker can handle these details… you know?
What? Too much? It’s just a sandwich? Yea… a sandwich. I take my sandwiches to heart. I haven’t done the old Trust Fall with the young gentlemen at my local sandwich shop, so frankly, I don’t know if I can trust them to make me a sandwich… ridiculous, but true.
So, yes. I’m a touch neurotic about my sandwiches. That’s just how it goes. Because I’m so ridiculous, I usually make my own.
This time around I made my own mayonnaise, because, holy heck it’s easy! Mayonnaise is a simple emulsion of egg yolk, flavors like mustard and seasoning, acid, and a fat like canola oil or olive oil. Olive oil will make a strongly flavored mayonnaise. I went for a roasted red pepper (I bought a jar) version using grapeseed oil as the fat. This version creates a slightly looser mayonnaise than the one you might scoop from the store bought jars. For a plain mayonnaise you can make with a bowl and a whisk, check out this tutorial. It’s handy.
Roasted Red Pepper Mayonnaise
adapted from Fat
makes about 1 cup of mayonnaise
1 large egg yolk
3/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
1 roasted red pepper, coarsely chopped ( I used the jarred variety. Easy!)
3/4 cup canola or grapeseed oil
Combine egg yolk, mustard, lemon juice, and chopped roasted red pepper in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Mix for about 30 seconds. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and whirl again.
With the machine running (I know it’s loud), gradually add the oil until the mixture starts to thicken and emulsify. I added the oil in a steady, but very thin stream. The mixture will start to emulsify at about the 2 minute mark. Once it starts to emulsify, you can add the fat more quickly. If the mixture is too thick for some reason, just blend in 1 teaspoon of boiling water to thin it. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Store in an airtight container and refrigerate. Lasts for 3-4 days.
The Best BLT
makes one sandwich
2 slices of your favorite bread, toasted
3-4 slices of tomato
2 leaves of butter lettuce, rinsed
4 -5 slices of crisp bacon
generous slather of roasted red pepper mayonnaise
Cook up bacon and drain of a paper towel. Rinse lettuce leaves, and pat dry. Slice tomato slices and let rest on a paper towel, allowing some of the moisture to be absorbed.
Toast bread and slather with as much roasted red pepper mayonnaise as you like. Top with bacon, tomatoes and lettuce. Top with other slice of bread and you’re in business. Holy yum!
Christine
Sandwiches are an anytime food and I love them. Looking at this one is making me so hungry.
Blushing Hostess
I hear you. I am having a BLT with arugula lemon mayon for lunch, peppers are not my fave…
Kim
I couldn’t agree with you more!! Plus, everyone likes their sandwich different. It’s a very personal thing. Your blt looks fabulous!!
ToKissTheCook
Oh my goodnight. The BLT is my favorite and it’s only a little bit cruel to be thinking of one now when I am so far in advance of lunch. Headed to the beach for the weekend though and this looks like the perfect lunch to surprise the family with!
Jaime
Wow, you have totally opened my eyes up to the reality of the sandwich. I hate when amateurs make a sandwich for me, it never tastes good. Thanks!!!
Jen
I haven’t attempted homemade mayo, but, man oh man, I don’t think I may resist this roasted red pepper version. I’m the ‘wich maker in my household, but from these photos, I’d trust your sandwich any day!
Erin
This looks amazing! I wish it’s what I was eating for lunch. Although my tuna-salad and sliced avocado isn’t too boring. Hey Joy, why don’t you do something yummy with avocado! I’d love to see what you come up with whether it’s in a baked dish (DESSERT), or in a non dessert. :D
Phoo-D
You can make me a sandwich any time! Love the roasted red pepper mayo- we will have to give that a try as BLT’s show up a lot in the summer at our house.
Kaitlyn
Nothing is greater than a good BLT! Now I have a huge craving for one and I’ll have to try your mayo recipe!
dawn
girl I love that you are not stingy with the bacon. heavens this is one heavenly sandwich I would love this afternoon. homemade mayo has such a true, rustic flavor too.
Emily
So it’s not just my anal quirk about picking the best slices of bread. My husband always rolls his eyes at me when I reach for the center. Since he rolls his eyes at this, I assume he’s willing to take on the drier pieces towards the heel. It’s actually a really good marriage you see…
Mama JJ
Hey! That’s the same saucer that I used to photograph my rhubarb jam! (Okay so it’s not THE SAME the same, but…)
Looks like a yummy sandwich.
Mary
Joy, what is the pattern on your plates called, they are beautiful!
And that sandwich looks pretty damn good too, btw :)
Jody Leon
I live for sandwiches. I could eat them at anytime of day. Sandwiches are my pancakes. I exist on this planet to eat as many superb sandwiches as I can and this one looks fantastic.
Oishii !!! (that’s yummy in Japanese).
P.S. I totally feel you on the mayonnaise. No one knows the right mayo to bread ratio. Thanks for a super easy/scrumptious recipe!
martina
Joy, you’re absolutely right! A sandwich is not only a sandwich…if it is, it’s not good enough! I too think that you have to trust someone to make you a good, deliciously yummy sandwich..and if you want… I trust you to make me one someday :)
The idea of homemade mayonnaise is wonderful: you can change easily the ingredients every now and then and create new trustfully sandwiches! (my guess: tuna, capers mayonaisse. to die for with beef or by itself!)
I’m going to fly to SF bay area in the next few days. I can’t wait to leave and embrace your sunny weather there!
cheers Marty