BLT and Simple Pleasures

Just a word on bacon. Should we use it in moderation? Yes. Is it delicious? Yes. And finally does a small amount go a long way? Absolutely.

With that out of the way, let's talk about one of the most delicious sandwiches known to human kind. The BLT. It's simple, tasty, and always satisfying. I realize that a recipe for a BLT seems rather silly, right? Well, I might agree with you, however I have been making these sandwiches for years and there are certain tricks to making them even tastier. 

A few of those tricks are: 1) Get the yummiest bread you can possibly imagine, 2) Cook the bacon until it is just slightly crisp, but still has a little softness, 3) Skip the mayo and go straight for ranch (I used the Kefir light Ranch with probiotics), and finally 4) add some fresh basil! Trust me on this last one!

Then after wards, go play outside. There are horses just below me and they love to play, but if you don't have horses to play with maybe you have kids, a dog, or a neighbor who would like to come out and join you. Either way getting out in the great outdoors makes this sandwich somehow taste even better. And play is exercise! Don't forget that! I went with my honey and we tromped through the woods in hot pursuit of some fire wood. As we were bumbling through I looked around and commented, "Somehow being out in the woods makes you realize that nothing really matters. You know?" To which he responded, "Yeah, it's important to remember how simple life can be."

Exactly, just like our lunch. Simple and delicious. For simple pleasures.. I am so grateful..

Now here is my secret recipe for a slammin' BLT! And check out the nutritional 'skinny' below!

Bacon Lettuce and Tomato Sandwich (the Famous BLT)

 yields 3-4 sandwiches

1 package smoked bacon

4 focaccia rolls

1 head of romaine lettuce

1 fresh ripe red tomato

1/4 cup Kefir Light Ranch dressing

1 bunch fresh basil leaves

1. Start with your favorite skillet and fry up the bacon low and slow. The key to delicious bacon cooked perfectly is cooking it over low heat slowly so it can crisp without becoming hard and brittle. Cook each slice over low heat for about 8-10 minutes on each side. Once each slice is cooked drain on a paper towel. 

 2. Slice the most delicious ripe tomato you can find (we found a perfect one at the Helena farmer's market). Clean and separate your romaine lettuce and slice each focaccia roll in half. I loved the whole grain focaccia we found at the bakery. It made the sandwich even tastier! 

 3. Now we build the sandwich.Spread a thin layer of the Kefir Ranch dressing on each half of the roll. Place a slice or two of tomato on the bottom of the roll and add salt and pepper to taste. Place two slices of bacon to the top and add 2 leaves of romaine lettuce and 4 leaves of fresh basil. Place the top of the roll on and eat!


4. This would be tasty with some fresh cantaloupe or a slice of pear. We ate them just as is and were beyond satisfied.

Nutritional Skinny:

280 calories / 14 g fat / 22 g carbohydrates / 13 g protein


Mental Health Tip: So the lesson today is if you want something delicious like bacon, go ahead and have it. We have to live thoroughly right? However, remember that a little goes a long way. Two slices is all you need to get that yummy buttery flavor and load up on tomatoes, lettuce, and basil. You will get the vitamins you want and the flavor that satisfies without sabotaging your girlish figure. Go outside and live thoroughly. There is nothing better than getting lost in the woods.