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!
Darina
I recently started making my own mayonnaise. People can tell, too. At Easter I brought a potato salad to our family lunch and my sister-in-law noticed that I had not used the store-bought stuff. Crazy! I’m going to have to try adding the pepper because it sounds delicious. I suddenly have a craving for BLT!
EB
I’m SO with you!! A sub-par sandwich? No thanks. You really do have to trust someone to make a sandwich you’ll love. Never thought about it, but you’re dead on.
Katie
Glad I’m not alone in this. I hate when the balance is off in a sandwich, to much meat or not enough and do they really think if they put 1/4 of meat on a sandwich that 1/2 a piece of cheese is enough. Honestly. Your sandwich looks great!
Sara @ Our Best Bites
Loving the sound of that mayo…yum!
ruth
oh my soul. i haven’t been able to eat real food – which is probably the most painful part – since i got my braces on a week ago, but i am SO making this the day i can chew again. it looks amazing!!
Ally
Love it Joy – and can I say loving the crispy bacon – impossible to get that kind of bacon here in Ireland! :)
Sue
Yummy looking sambo Joy. Could you get your taste spuds activated to make an egg salad sandwich next. When I visited NY I ate the most delicious sandwhiches with egg in them but haven’t found anything like it in Oz. Cheers
Nurit - 1 family. friendly. food.
“I bring up the old Trust Fall because we’re talking about sandwiches.” – I loved that phrase :)
Ryanne Underhill
I was totally dropped during a trust fall (as an adult)! I felt the “thwack” of all the arms on my back and the next thing I knew I was laying on the ground with several curious and scared faces staring down at me… So what did I do? Jumped back up on the picnic table and did it again…
Chocolate and Toast
Why?! Why do I read your blog *after* I’ve already had a full meal? You break me every time! Here comes Second Dinner, I’m off to the kitchen in search of the perfect sandwich. With homemade mayo. And carefully selected bread. My husband had better step out of the way, trust or no.
cindy
that looks like a tasty sandwich joy. well done. i don’t trust my sandwiches to just anyone either, though i do have a sick weakness for port of subs…i think it’s the pickles.
kevin
(linkback) A or B? The Best BLT and Homemade Pepper Mayo A) Want B) Do Not Want [VOTE] – http://www.pikk.com/43bb5
Whitney
WOW that looks DELISH. I love the story with this post. I always kinda liked the trust falls, granted I was never dropped.
Kerstin
That DOES look like the best BLT ever – wow! I love your homemade roasted red pepper mayo and how you packed it with bacon – yum!
howtoeatacupcake
You HAVE to tell me what brand of bacon you use! I can never seem to find bacon with that much meat on it!
There’s a cute little diner-style restaurant beside my boyfriend’s job. He eats there all the time, and one time he took me for lunch. They make delicious roasted red pepper mayonnaise!