Have you ever treated yourself to an expensive tomato?
Have you ever treated yourself to a single heirloom tomato? In season. Ripe. Striped with color. Fleshy. Juicy. Sweet. (I sorta sounds like I’m talking about butts… my apologies).
In any case… have you ever paid nearly $4 for a single tomato?
I have.
When really good tomatoes are thaaaat expensive, you choose carefully. You don’t care if you’re blocking the skinny yoga girl who is fluttering about behind you trying to get at the same tomato display. Excuse me, skinny yoga girl…. I’m going to take my time with this one. You should go eat a steak anyway.
What do you do with your ‘spensive tomato once you’ve requested that it be packed in it’s own separate bag, once you’ve placed it in the empty passenger seat next to you, once you’ve coddled it all the way home?
You put bacon on it. It is the only option.
Ok… so we’re going to put more than just bacon onto a tomato.
We’re making BLT sandwiches, with the best ingredients we can get out hands on. Because we’re (totes) worth it.
First. Good bread. Mine is from La Brea Bakery. Gimme. It’s good.
Organic Red Leaf Butter Lettuce.
That’s a lot of words for lettuce. See? Fancy.
Mayonnaise.
It’s not that fancy.
It’s just mayonnaise.
Nice, thick sliced, smoked bacon. Extra slices. Extra crisp.
Combine all ingredients in between bread slices.
Marvel at the beauty of your expensive tomato, fancy lettuce, crispy bacon… and the bread that you toasted in the residual bacon fat….
and then shove the entire thing into your mouth. Slowly.
Epic.
ps. if you have your own heirloom tomato plant, i salute you and your fancypants.
Christina
Found your website via a post on the blog {This is Glamorous}, and cannot for the life of me stop reading your hilarious posts. This particular post made my heart smile (:
Lucia
I’ll wait for summer and for my big ripe tomatoes. Looking forward to it.
Summer Delilah
Your sandwich looks delicious.. but I would sub avocado for bacon because I’m vegetarian. It would just be a tomato-avocado-lettuce sandwich.. but it would be DELICIOUS.
Jane
This post is such a funny, candid snapshot of a food lover’s trip to the market! Don’t worry about the writer’s block cause you’ve got talent!!
Lilianna Grace
My favorite thing to do with heirloom tomatoes is to create a simple sandwich. It starts with a toasted sourdough english muffin, I prefer the density of the generic brands. Slice your tomoto so it is at least 1/2 inch thick. Mayo your muffin, top with your thick slice of beautiful tomatoe, sprinkle with some kosher salt and cracked pepper, top it with the other slice of muffin, and enjoy. I think I’ll go make one right now!
Claire
Hey Joy! I made an amazing pie with 1 giant heirloom tomato and I thought I’d share the recipe with you. The link below is to an almost identical recipe to the one I used. All I added was sauteed onion on the bottom of the pie and used vegenaise instead of mayonaise. Otherwise the recipe’s the same. And it was a HUGE crowd pleaser. Even with people that didn’t like tomatoes. And what kind of people are those?! :)
http://www.metrocurean.com/article.aspx?section=1&page=23401
Stacey
Mouth, water. Go.
M
That looks insanely delicious…a few day ago had a mayor burger with bacon (yum) and seeing your epic BLT and remembering that I will eat bacon again!!!
xx
Cat @ ButteryBakery
Hm…what would I do with a crazy expensive tomato? Maybe make a bruschetta….but your sandwich does look epic. :)
ellie
Me too …my bruchetta makes my mouth water just thinking about it!! It’s all about very good quality tomatoes. And it’s even better cold ..the next day (or the middle of the night if there is any left over). Hmm ..off to buy an $$$ tomato and maker one now :)
Hettar7
Methinks it’s bacon buyin time tomorrow. First another food blogger, then you, post about bacon tomato sandwiches. It’s a sign. The universe is telling me I need to eat one. Ok, probably two.
kk
I am a tomato nerd. I grew 24 varieties of heirloom tomatoes organically this year (scaled back from 30+ last year) I have been harvesting around 50-70 lbs of tomatoes each week, and have been foisting tomatoes of all shapes, colors and sizes on neighbors, friends, co-workers and family. If you have even a tiny area that gets six hours of good sun, plant an heirloom tomato seedling next year. Choose a bush/patio variety so it doesn’t become a massive plant-beast. Let me know if you want seeds! I always tell people that if you want to feel like a green-thumbed garden goddess, grow tomatoes–it’s easy and highly rewarding as long as you give them water and the occasional TLC.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/fp.php?pid=8061929
Mel
24 varieties!? I didn’t know there were so many kinds of tomatoes. My mom planted a bunch of tomato plants in her garden this past summer, but the tomatoes weren’t very good at all. Who knew there was such a thing as a bad tomato! Are there certain plants you would recommend? Where can I buy them?
Lindsay
add avocado, sub spinach instead of lettuce and if you are really in need, add an egg (fried in bacon grease obviously) I find it really helps with marathon training…no seriously…super recovery food!
Leslie
Yummy!!! You’re making my mouth water!
Cheers! Leslie
Kendra McPhee
Ooh, love that idea Lindsay! You sold me on the fried egg. Keep it nice and runny and let the yolk ooze all over the bacon and down the sides of the bread. Messy. Yummy. No marathons for me though! Just bacon. and Heirlooms, of course.
Angela Treadway
I think I would also add a thin slice of cheese and savor every bite!
H
We are a drop spot for a CSA and if you can believe it some weeks people don’t pick up their shares. I have been left with 20 lbs of heirloom tomatoes! My favorite way to have them is sliced with a sweet onion, crisp lettuce,some sort of slightly toasted sourdough bread with a slater of mayo. It is so good!
By the time I am down to the last two bites my elbows are dripping with juice!
I disagree with the it’s just mayo comment as well. Bad mayo can ruin a sandwich and believe me there are some really bad mayo’s out there. When not making my own and buying a commercial brand I used to be a Hellman’s girl until I tried the Spectrum canola mayo. Oh it is SO good. I highly recommend forking over the extra five bucks (yes it is ridiculously expensive)
Bonnie
I have a garden full of heirloom tomatoes. You could grow them in a pot. Nothing is better than that first BLT of the season, especially with an heirloom tomatoe.
carmen
I happen to adore BLTs — the bacon especially — and I adore your website. However, I felt somewhat insulted about the way you referred to the “skinny girl in yoga pants.” In fact, I am sometimes seen as one of those, and I eat more food (and steak) than any of my friends can imagine. Please know that the stereotype of us and our eating habits is not accurate, and since making fun of curvier girls is seen as disrespectful, poking fun at the more slender is no better.
annie
Good Lord, that is one beautiful sandwich! Who knew there was such a thing as BLT porn!
Gray
I remember those tomoatoes!! I used to see them all the time when I lived in Florence, Italy…. Hmm, they are yummy but 4 dollars for one??? Ouch. (did you put any avacado with the bacon??)
Dar
You can never go wrong with bacon! But I do love me a tomato sandwich. Toast some sourdough bread, a little mayo and a big slab(s) of tomato. Little salt and pepper. mmm.
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef
hilarious! and yummy! very very very yummy. good tomatoes are to be protected. :)
Meg
I LOVE BLTS! :) I am hitting the farmers market next week and will be on the lookout for an amazing tomato!
Crystal Bee
omg i just spent over $5 on a huge heirloom tomato. my initial urge at checkout was to put it back but decided to buy it and not make a scene. turned out to be a good decision. i put about a quarter of it on a salad and then “mmmm mm mmmm-ed!” so much i rest of it in just one sitting. it was amazing. i will buy more $5 tomatoes in my future.
Sues
Epic is most definitely the only word to describe that sandwich. It looks AH-MAZING (OK, that word works, too). And totally worth an expensive tomato!
jodye @ 'scend food
Ahh fresh Heirloom tomatoes; being vegan I skip the bacon and eat them sliced and sprinkled with smoked maldon. Perfect every time!
Amanda :}
in the early spring, before i could even dream about backyard tomatoes, i bought 3 medium tomatoes for $8 :( i had to make sure no one in my house cooked with them, as they were designated for a cucumber/tomato/red onion salad. you don’t COOK with $8 tomatoes! but i had to have them, they were bright red and juuuuuiiicccy! i think they were grown organically in a hothouse?…. it’s one of those things where you indulge in something that you know will be satisfying and wonderful :) and they were.
Hope
I’ve been following your blog for over a year and this is my FAVORITE post ever! I love tomatoes and BLTs but you’ve got the set up on this one just PERFECTLY framed.
Carrie
I would DIE for that sammich.
DIE, I tell you.
Mar García
so, i think that i´m very lucky because i live in the south of Spain, and i can buy those tomatoes for 1 euro per kilo!!! it´s so expensive there, Thank you Joy for all your posts!!
DNA Lady
Last night’s dinner: 1 heirloom tomato, Berkshire pork bacon, and Duke’s mayo. My husband was gone, so I got it all!
Aunt Baaa
Okay, the part that got me…”the bread that you toasted in the residual bacon fat….”
And I just ate lunch, dammit!
Julie Anne Rhodes
Your posts always put such a smile on my face. Nobody finds more pleasure in food than you do, and it’s wonderfully contagious.
Dafna
I so know what you mean about treating yourself to a fancy tomato. I did that the other week. Those heirloom tomatoes were “on sale” at whole foods for maybe $4/lb. I bought one and protected it like my first born (even though I don’t have any kids, but you know). Yeah..
lacey - a sweet pea chef
Seriously, Joy, you are so awesome. BLTs are my favorite sandwich ever. Ever. But, you’re right: the ingredients — all of them — must be the best quality. Thanks for the post! Good call!
Maria Delgado
YUM!
Elizabeth
I have paid that much for an heirloom tomato. It was so worth it. I roasted it on top of a tart and I savoured every bite…and then I ate the whole tart. I didn’t want to waste it! But I like the idea of a BLT, that way you can savour that flavour even more judiciously….yum! I salute you and your bread grilled in bacon fat. Booyah!
Shaina
Love. I do have fancy pants heirloom tomato plants. That I do. Mr. Stripey and the Brandywine have to go out and find some fancy lettuce to mingle with now for lunch.
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking
Oooooh, BLT’s. Now you’re speaking my language.
life and kitchen
I can’t even imagine a $4 tomato. It would have to be dusted with gold flakes or something like that for me to buy it. But then again, yours looks so good that it just might be worth it.
Stephanie
That looks INSANELY good! There’s no going back to anything lesser after a sandwich like that. I had hoped to make BLTs with our own tomatoes, but they are pathetic this year. The heirlooms up here are $4.99 and I will not… I refuse to pay that! No way, I just can’t do it. Big sigh.
Reagan @ Recipesmademyway
OH MY!!! This looks AMAZING and I don’t even like tomatoes!! :) It might help that my most favorite thing in the WHOLE world is nice crispy BACON!!! YUM!!! I might just have to try this tomato and all… hmmm :)
Gwen
My heirloom tomato plant, out on my apt. patio, just started wilting and dying! I am so sad. I am very willing to pay way too much for a good tomato! But, you need to use Duke’s Mayo! I live in Atlanta and love my Duke’s.
pam
want.
Carrie
Yesterday, Ina made ABLT sandwhich on homemade bread (avacado, bacon, lettuce, and tomato). My bread is baking as I type, I’ll settle for my garden beef steak tomato, but this is tonight’s dinner!
Brianne
I live in Maine. Last year my tomato plants were a flop so this year I bought 16 of them. Half are heirloom and I am drowning in tomatoes! I wish I could share them with you Joy!
Claire
I totally agree! A) Not only is the BLT one of my favorite sandwiches, I totally understand the quality time you must spend to pick out the perfect expensive tomato. B) Before i can even get to the point of picking th perfect one comes the internal struggle of justifying spending that much on a tomato… sometimes I win, sometimes not.
Susan
When I have an expensive tomato, I eat it out of hand with good salt, leaning over the kitchen sink. I can still see my father in my mind’s eye, eating tomatoes still warm from his garden in exactly that way. I miss him, and the tomatoes he grew and shared.
Silvia
It just dawned on me that I do not know what an italian dressing is… suggestions?
Kate
Italian Salad Dressing : )
Silvia
Italians dress their salad with salt, pepper, oil and vinegar, every one to one’s taste, of course, but in the shops one does not find a ready made italian salad dressing. This is why I thought that maybe there were other spices or herbs or something special.
XXX
Karen
I have spent a lot of money on some beautiful tomatoes and they were worth every penny!! I really love BLTs so great use of a tomato.
Cate
I recently spent $29 on tomatoes at a farmers market. Those tomatoes were worth EVERY PENNY, though! Sliced and sprinkled with a little fleur de sel…oh man. I need to hold myself back.
Jenn post
How is it you are not married to some really smoking hot guy by now?? oh , I get it, you have never made him THIS SANDWICH!!!! a.maze.ing. love! darling, I adore you and your blog, thank you for brightening my life. oh, and my hubby wants to say thank for this post, thru a mouthfull of ‘spensive tomato BLT nonetheless….sorry.
Jenn Post
Your Southern Peach
You could put bacon on a piece of cardboard and I would probably eat it. That being said, there is nothing like a practically perfect heirloom tomato! By the way, here in the south, instead of “eat a steak” we say “Eat some biscuits!” Thought you might enjoy that. Love the post.
Francesca
oh those skinny yoga girls!
This post made me laugh.
Christina
dude, that’s exactly what I’ve done with my ‘spensive tomatoes this summer! except mine come in my ‘spensive CSA share every week. and I use cheap bacon, plain jane mayo, and wheat bread (toasted. a’course.). I’m a poor nanny/athlete and holy hell, if this doesn’t just reaasure me about blowing the wad on the CSA…
kimberlee
umm, yes. yes indeed.
Erin
I just bought TWO $3 tomatoes at the farmer’s market (purple Cherokees, I think), and green chile focaccia bread from the local baker. Made THE best BLTs ever!! You rock, Joy! And, I’m pregnant, too, Jo – so, I guess I’m the fat, ever-eating, prenatal yoga girl at the moment… Give me that steak!! I’m going to put my other tomato on it.
Jennifer at The Fig and the Orange
This looks incredible! If only I had time to put one of these babies together before the Hollywood Bowl tonight. *sigh* I guess a sandwich from Bay Cities will have to suffice, even if they do have major bread rivalry with La Brea Bakery. Have you ever tried making your own mayo? That’s on my list – right after trying to make my own ketchup. Spicy ketchup, at that.
meg
bay cities! ohhh, sometimes i miss LA.
kel
Mmmmmm yummo!
Only one thing would make this better – avocado!
Zoe
Totally agree. Perfection plus!
Lena
That darn skinny yoga girl! That post is probably my favorite…. lovin’ those shmancy tomatos!
-Lena :)
Dreaming Bear
Oh my goodness gracious. My mouth is watering!!
Jo
No fair – I’ve had dinner already, but I’m pregnant and now I want your BLT. But I’d skip the L.
Annie
Oh you poor deprived city dwellers. Kiss my fancy pants.
I make my own bread, too.
But my husband is vegan so I hardly ever get bacon. I think you’re one up. :)
Jenni Bird
I now consider how lucky we are in Brisbane, Australia, where we can buy a kilo of heirloom tomatoes for $5.50. And my partner is a seed saver, so I buy the expensive varieties, she keeps the seeds from at least one of each type, and now I just go out to our garden and pick a juicy tomato with real flavour whenever we need it.
BTW: I love this site and have made a few of your recipes – my work colleagues are always grateful for the results.
Cheers
Jenni
Bethany
need to make one now. I am so in love with blts and so in love with heirloom tomatoes and so in love with hickory smoked bacon. YUM!!
Jen
Joy, the sandy looks delish! makes me want one a LOT! i don’t know if i’ve ever invested in an heirloom tomato, but you’re selling me on it! will stop at whole foods soon for one!
sippy
Ever made a BLT and added some avocado slices? That… is just crazy good.
Indigo
Jealoussss. Although I’m making myself feel better by imagining how good this would be with crazy-delicious M&S roasted garlic mayonnaise, which *cough* I just happen to have in my fridge right now… oh yes. I need to introduce your sandwich to my garlic mayo, okay? Let’s set the two up.
Amy
I’m a yoga girl, but more of an “i like to eat pizza sometimes, okay?” yoga girl. Not skinny, not me.
Anyway, I lurve your sandwich. I want some. Maybe some alfalfa sprouts would be delicious on this as well? Maybe some sourdough bread? Maybe with a side of cucumber? So many choices!
Jen G
I had a b.l.t. today too, but it was no where near as fancy as this one – but probably just as good since someone made it for me! I’m jealous of your ‘spensive ‘mato. It looks absolutely perfect.
Lib
Last night I stood in front of a display of heirloom tomatoes @ $5.99 a pound. I am trying to limit my meat consumption, so on the way home from work I was dreaming of a yummy slice of a perfectly ripe tomato to make my Boca Burger palatable. I thought about what I would do with the rest of the tomato – yearning for a BLT – finally decided I would have enough left for a tomato sandwich. I finally decided that I could not spend that amount of money on a tomato that would not ever meet a slice of bacon – pushed my cart over to the “vine-ripened” tomatoes @ @2.99 a pound and bought 2 small ones. The Boca Burger was good and I have a tomato left over for a sandwich tonight. Not the same – but it will do for now….
I hope you enjoy your tomato – it looked yummy!
pamela
Wow. I am normally not a fan of bacon but this post just kicked in an intense craving for a thick slab of it PRONTO. Will definitely be making a trip to pick some up after work today so I can make my own BLT!
Gen
This tomato is perfect in itself!
Mary Margeson
I do not have an heirloom tomato plant. But you have made me want one. Someday. Someday.
Irene
I want one of this!!!!
David
I have always had a soft spot for home grown tomatoes. Especially Roma. They have this amazing earthy taste to them. Store bought doesn’t. The flavor is always watered down. But if you get yourself a nice decent home grown tomato, oh my gawd, it’s heaven. I don’t even mess around. Sliced, alittle alittle salt and pepper and I am good to go!
Frances
That is the perfect BLT! Now if only I could cook bacon that well .. .
Linnea
there is NOTHING like a fresh, off the vine, ripe, un-waxy beautiful tomato. It haunts me in the winter. All I can think about is when I can plant those beautiful plants and when they flower and produce the most beautiful things on this planet.
I agree. A BLT is a great idea for a great tomato. Because sometimes I feel a little guilty just throwing salt, pepper a bit of olive oil (this is when I’m too lazy to make bruchetta), and gobbling them up. Literally a plate full. We got a new brand of heirloom tomatoes this year.. we don’t even know what they’re called.. and their beautiful. Heartshaped, meaty. Barely any seeds. Gorgeous. Two of them are waiting for my stomach at home :)
Thanks for the post Joy. I don’t like the skinny yoga girl either. And I always eat the tomatoes too fast :(
Charmaine
I don’t think I’d ever be able to buy a $4 tomato. But I would really love a BLT! I haven’t had one in FOREVER!
Karen@Mignardise
I want a BLT for lunch with a very expensive tomato and some fancy bacon. Thanks for the suggestion!
Danielle
very funny. love the beloved heirloom tomato tale…
Jean C.
Sounds like Dinner! Just need to get more bread!!! Add something for dessert and we are there!
Adrianna from A Cozy Kitchen
This summer I’ve been obsessed with fried green tomato BLTs. And tomato sandwiches: a fancy pants tomato, mayonnaise (lots of mayo) and salt and pepper. It’s heavenly.
yuri
I love BLTs! Love em even more when you put an over easy egg on it instead of mayo. Holy crap.
Meg
Congrats! You now have me craving a BLT! YUM!
Anotheryarn
Um, no. That is what you do with the second fancy pants tomato. The first one deserves to be eaten all by itself, with a sprinkling of coarse salt and freshly ground cracked pepper. You should try at least one nice sized wedge this way the next time you treat yourself to a heirloom tomato.
Amelia
What a coincidence! My boyfriend’s mother grows heirloom tomatoes and every so often she gives us a big ol’ basket of them. I just got a batch yesterday and have been trying to figure out what to do this time around. Last basket-full went to a beautiful bruschetta and before that, salsa! So thanks a bunch. Keep the fancy tomato ideas coming.
Heather R.
” You should go eat a steak anyway.” That sentence is just one of the many reasons I <3 you!
Laura
Perfect timing, Joy! In my fridge: organic heirloom tomatoes , organic butter lettuce and fancypants bread from the farmer’s market… Lucky me! Now can you tell me what to do with the rest of the organic produce? Cauliflower?
Jessica
Yum! I’d do all the above and add some sliced avocado. Because I can!
Shari
The first BLT of the summer with a fancy or non-fancy tomato from the garden is always a cause for celebration. Especially is you decide to cook an ear of fresh corn to go with it.
Jill in Atlanta
I’ve had more expensive, but still made at home. I’d gone to our local outdoor market and bought freshly baked bread, homemade applewood smoked bacon AND heirloom tomatoes. Let me tell you, I ate slowly to enjoy every bite! There was a temptation to put hand made mozzarella on it, but it seemed wrong. As did the store bought mayo. Have you ever tried making your own? I’m chicken.
TJ
Jill,
I used to be chicken to make my own mayo too, but then I got THE SECRET. Use a Cuisenart with the white plastic “comb” beater blade that most people use for whipping cream. Whatever recipe you use, the oil always goes in last, after the other ingredients are whipped up smooth. Then, drip the oil in while the beater is spinning. Seriously, just drip it in, like you’re afraid the whole thing will overflow. THE SECRET is to add that oil so slow you think you’re just gonna die of boredom. All the while, that beater is emulisifying the mix into real mayonaise. Be patient. You rush the oil in there, you’ll break the mayo. It’s fool-proof if you take the time. Think of it as a meditiation excercise. The kind yoga girl should be doing, while she waits for her steak to cook. Enjoy! TJ
Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen
I love heirloom tomatoes. I also love blt’s. That looks like one kick-ass sandwich!
Nicola
That’s the thinest ‘thick sliced’ bacon I have ever seen! I think English bacon is super doorstep thick by comparison. I actually like the thin stuff best….
Pamela
BLT’s are only for tomato season…add an avocado…mmmmmmm
Leah
Hooray for Tomatoes. Especially Heirlooms. I worked on an organic farm for two years and we grew so many heirloom tomatoes, a tip for finding Cheaper Heirloom Tomatoes is finding your local farmer’s market. Not only will these amazing tomatoes be fresher, but look for the venders with tomatoes marked Seconds (or there might be a bin labeled this way). Seconds are Tomatoes (and sometimes other veggies) that have gotten a bit banged up, so might have a small split or a soft spot, or are generally not as pretty as the rest of the tomatoes (or other veggies) on display. They are marked down in price, and just as tasty.
Another option is planting your own (again you can find young plants for sale at your local market most likely early in the season). Don’t worry if you don’t have garden space, tomatoes will grow in air planters (which you can pick up easily from any store containing a gardening section) and in POTS. You’ll want a larger planter, but planting your tomato plant in a pot has the advantage of being able to bring the plant in doors when the weather cools. Last year I planted a single tomato plant in a pot and got tomatoes till Thanksgiving.
Finally the smell of a fresh tomato just on the vine is the most amazing smell in the world. And I want someone to make a perfume of that scent.
Lisa
Last night I ate 2 tomatoes-fresh-from-my-garden sandwiches. I friggin love them.
Danielle
Now that’s a sandwich! But sandwich sounds to poor for that fancy smancy tomato… :)
Liska
They are in season in Poland now and are very cheap. I can send you some, do you want? :)
Sushi Girl
epic yum!
*love*
Patty Tomaskovic
Another good idea that is quick and easy is heirloom tomatoes with fresh mozzarella cheese and basil. Just drizzle on some homemade Italian dressing and some fresh cracked pepper and you’ve got a nice side dish or even an appetizer. Add some toasted French bread with olive oil and rubbed garlic, and you’ve got a meal! The only thing that could top this off better is a nice glass of pinot grigio! :)
Sarah D
Word to the BLT.
steph (whisk/spoon)
yes, a BLT is exactly what you do with a good tomato! a homemade summertime BLT is so good, i have been known to shed a tear upon finishing one! :)
Leavingthecity
Heirloom tomatoes are a little too rich for my blood, but I have had the pleasure of devouring ripe tomatoes from a friends garden. Biting into a FRESH tomato is unlike anything else.
Sue
Okay, I JUST got up, but I REALLY want that BLT for breakfast!!!
Vicki B
Those $4 heirloom tomatoes intimidate me. Well, maybe no more!
Laurab @ foodsnobstl
I love love love heirloom tomatoes. They get the best of me though. Last time I picked up two, but imagine my shock and awe when I went to pay for them to the tune of $9! They were large and tasted delightful, but it was quite the expensive treat.
Laura @ SweetSavoryPlanet
Yes, I have paid $4, then I started my own tomato garden. Heirlooms are worth it and I love BLTs but without the M! Also another favorite with homegrown tomatoes is a grilled cheese – tangy goat cheese, tomatoes, basil, mozzarella and some baby spinach.
Ashley
Have I told you that you are my inspiration blog? Right before I’m about to do some painful writing for work (like draft a safety risk document), I open your blog and indulge in your creative desserts and light-hearted posts. That is always what I need to get inspired to write and make things happen. Thank god for your blog and thank god for heirloom tomatoes!
Angharad
Totes.
I have paid $9 for like 3 tomatoes. I think that constitutes the same ridiculousness. Why I didn’t make an epic, fancy pants blt with my toms is beyond me though. Beyond me.
carly
love bacon… love BLTs… love your blog!
Ellen
Ouch! If that’s a $4 tomato, then I’ve got $50 worth of fancy pants tomatoes that are identical to yours sitting on my counter (and dare I say it, going bad faster than I can use them up). All from one plant too!
We made BLTs last night too. The key to making them with these fat, super juicy tomatoes is to coat each piece of bread with mayo and then lettuce, as it helps block the moisture from getting your bread soggy. Just a tip :)
brandi
The only thing that would make this better is avocado.
I’ve got tomatoes in my garden just waiting to be made into this sandwich!
Elizabeth
I LOVE Heirloom tomatoes… but I’m not big on bacon, surprisingly. I just bought some at the farmers market last week and made a FANTASTIC salad.
Gertie
That, my dear, is one beautiful sandwich. The Duchess of all fancypants BLTs. I am extremely jealous, and must have my own immediately.
Candice @ Notes from ABroad
Yes. Too often. We used to live in Portland Oregon, across the street from Whole Foods.. (foodie heaven)… and we also had Trader Joes a few blocks away and Farmers Markets each week. For some reason, the produce was always quite expensive.
I found these tomatoes that were similar to your heirloom tomato.. beautiful, juicy, perfect and tasty.
So I bought burratta cheese and ate them with a little good Olive Oil, cracked pepper and sea salt.
Perfecto.
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic
I’ve never paid $4 for a tomato, but I’ve paid a lot more for a BLT. Bacon always gets me!
Nicole @ The Dirty Oven
Tomatos sliced with some kosher salt… pure bliss. Don’t you just love summer?
Martyna
This is pure madness, this price. What does not change the fact that the tomato looks wonderful, just like tomatoes from my grandfather’s land :)
Emilie in MN
I have 2 heirloom tomato plants and I LOVE them. Actually, almost my whole garden is tomatoes this year, not because I didn’t plant anything else, but because they have taken over!
Thank you for the reminder on the BLT – I am all over that this weekend!
Jen-
I recently made an epic sandwich of this sort…with alfalfa sprouts and seedless cucumber on it as well. Hubs and I moaned as if it was culinary orgasms as we ate. Un-Bee-Leev-A-Ble!!!
sweetie
not to try to perfect something that’s already perfect but these add-ins on challah or brioche bun? aioli? amazing!
(p.s. did you get my e-mail? i’m not sure but i hope it went through… and didn’t come across the wrong way!!!)
thanks!!
~fer
Hi I am a fellow blogger from across the world
I have been reading you for some time
i just wanted to say I really like your recipes
Keep the good work
(wish my tomatoes were that good)
jaclyn@todayslady
I have never treated myself to an heirloom tomato but I always always have wanted to!!! I’m taking this post as a sign that i MUST buy one, and make a fancy sandwich with it!!! Really, it’s a sign right? I HAVE to get one, I can’t deny it!!
Jen
That looks like a Mr. Stripey tomato! We bought a few of those in early August, and all I did was drizzle them with salt and olive oil and ate them off the plate! I probalby could have eaten it like an apple. A good ol’ BLT sounds amazing.
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday
I eat it with my hands and a sprinkling of sea salt. There is no other way. Why let bacon and bread get in the way of its deliciousness? Why?
farmwife
MMM almost perfect……but now I shall scandalize…..here in the midwest we have to use Miracle Whip. :) It’s the tangy zip.
farmwife
MMM almost perfect……but now I shall scandalize…..here in the midwest we have to use Miracle Whip. :) It’s the tangy zip.
Sally in the Zen
I agree with Dajda! It’s 8:20 AM and I’m not even thinking BLT until I see your pictures of BACON and that gorgeous tomato! Talk about the power of pictures and tasty persuasion. Now I’m drooling for one. :P
Carol Evans
There is nothing as good as a BLT…..Heirlooms are not that expensive here, about $2.00 a pound, so I am able to have them often…try Duke’s mayo if you can get it, it is a southern mayo and so lemony, like homemade…
Heather (Heather's Dish)
i love getting the heirloom grape tomatoes…they’re less expensive by the pound :)
Rachel (Two Healthy Plates)
There is hardly a better fast summer dinner than a good BLT – good tomato is the key! We usually have BLTs 2 or 3 times in the summer, I think we may have to have on tonight because I have a lot of tomatoes that need to be used!
Estela @ Weekly Bite
I love expensive tomatoes! Especially when they come from my garden :)
Angie
Thank you for the laugher! You constantly crack me up. I appreciate your beautiful baking though too!
Kate @ Our Best Bites
Yummmmmmmmmmm. I had a whole bunch (like 40 pounds) of the most amazing tomatoes I’ve ever tasted earlier this summer, but I had an abscessed tooth at the time, so my husband got all the BLTs, I got antibiotics, and by the time I could see straight again, they were mushy.
Deepa
We don’t get heirlooms over in the UK so I might have to be fancypants and grow my own.
I love a good BLT. That bacon pic is killer.
I can’t believe I read this and there is still one more hour to go before lunch. aaaarggghh.
Katrina
I’ve never had a heirloom tomato. Is it sweeter?
meg H.
I was with you until the mayonnaise. You cannot use just any kind – Hellmann’s (Best on the West Coast) only. MMMMMM. A great BLT screams summer to me. Now I am hankerin’ for one. drats. It’s 7a. And I’m at work.
peachkins
the sandwich looks fantastic but that is expensive tomato!
The Peach Kitchen
peach and things
blowing peachkisses
Lauren at KeepItSweet
it’s been way too long since i had a BLT! i do have some fresh CSA tomatoes sitting in my kitchen….
Diane
i love you, joy the baker:-)
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
This reminds me that I have a BLT post I forgot to post earlier this summer. My tomato was nowhere near as pretty, anyway ;)
I loved this post!
newlywed
Mmm. Love BLTs. For a party, it would be fun to make tiny little BLTs with a variety of heirloom tomatoes.
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
I have been loving heirloom tomatoes this year… well as much as I can. I hate veggies.
Andrea
That does look delish! Sometimes you’ve just gotta splurge on the ingredients and make yourself feel like you’re getting a $20 sandwich from the fanciest bistro in town.
When I have perfect tomatoes, I make a caprese salad.. sort of. I feel like you get the most tomato for your buck that way. Except I use crumbled goat cheese instead of mozzerella. Seriously – it’s like the best summertime salad and it’s super juicy.
Maddie
I had my first grilled cheese sandwich *ever* last weekend, and now I think it’s time for my first BLT. I thought sandwiches fried in butter were revelatory, but clearly I didn’t yet know what I was missing: bacon fat.
Lizibeth
that has to be the most gorgeous tomato ever – the creamy yellow with the red streaking through the center ………………… mmm.
So, how’d it taste? ;)
Dajda
You’re unbelievable, a whole post about one tomato and a sandwich you put it in, and it instantly makes me want to go out and buy expensive tomatoes and lettuce. :)
Silvia
It must be the king of tomatoes to be that expensive… my uncle grows them in his garden, I could have tons of them but… I’m so sorry but I do not like tomatoes, they should kick me out of Italy for this, I know. What about cucumbers in the sandwich instead? This I really fancy.
Jessica
oh no…you’re making me miss bacon!
I’ve never had one of those fancypants tomatoes.
AmyS
I’m totally with Terri Lea on this one… I’m toasting all my bread in bacon fat from now on!
Margaret
oh my gosh I work at a natural foods store (PCC) and I totally know those skinny yoga girls you’re talking about! HA!
Shannon @ bakeandbloom
See I would have been tempted to make a fancypants sumac, tomato, tart tatin but I think I would honestly enjoy this more.
This is more of a TBL than a BLT
notyet100
slurp.,..
Debbi
heirlooms….$4.00 each
living in NJ where they have entire farms of them….priceless!!!
Andrea
Holler from NJ! (I live there too)
Allie (Live Laugh Eat)
Isn’t funny how beautiful tomatoes with stripes and blemishes are seen as ‘ugly’ whereas perfectly round and scuff-free (read: bland) tomatoes are the ideal? I need to get my hands on an heirloom tomato…I’m just afraid I might squash it while overprotecting it on the drive home :).
Terri Lea
Fuuuunnnnnyy Stuff! Thanks for sharing! And sandwich bread toasted in bacon fat??? Brilliant!
Ethan
Thank you for not letting me down with the extra crispy bacon because soft mushy bacon could have jeopardized our friendship and also would have been rude to the $4 tomato!
Wei-Wei
I agree with the Boob Nazi. That is a very expensive tomato, though… Quite beautiful.
The Boob Nazi
You have a way of writing words that makes me feel like I’m making (and eating) the sandwich along with you.
Emily
I honestly don’t think I’ve ever had a BLT. I should get on that sometime soon! You see, I was a vegetarian for several years and that was the time that I discovered the goodness of tomatoes. I’m still in love with tomato, basil, and mozzarella sandwiches. That’s what I usually do with a good tomato and basil from the farmers market.
Cheeky Kitchen
Oh, heirloom tomatoes. There is NO thing like the flavor of late summer tomatoes. Even if, while describing them, it did sorta sound like you were talking about butts. ;)
Joe @ Eden Kitchen
That is a freakin’ expensive tomato but damn it looks delicious. Yum!
Keena
Heirloom tomatoes are (totes) worth $4.