I always hate it when restaurants call a BLT with avocado a BLAT. Really, a BLAT? Because that sounds so appetizing… I’d much prefer a BLTA, thank you. However, that all changes when you add the S–salmon–and the sandwich morphs into a SBLAT. Much more appealing, right? Well, maybe not, but it sounds like splat when you say it fast, and I think I just like saying it. SBLAT. Totally fun. Of course, if that sounds as appealing to you as BLAT, you could just call it a BLTAS or simply, a Salmon & Avocado BLT. I’ll leave it up to you.
BLTs are a definite weakness of mine. They’re so simple to make, but somehow, the flavors are just meant to meld together into perfection. Of course, when I say BLTs are a weakness, I really mean BLTs with avocado. What’s a sandwich without it?
I know I’m not supposed to be eating bacon at all (I made it a year without it!), but sometimes, I just have to indulge a little. Plus, the bacon was the fancy hormone & nitrate-free, low sodium stuff from Whole Foods, so it doesn’t really count, right?
This was another one of our fancy we’re-on-summer-break lunch creations with leftovers from dinner and from camping in Tahoe. My parents had picked up a delicious looking but absolutely huge piece of salmon to cook upon our return. Jeff’s not a huge salmon fan, so the 4 of us only managed to finish about half for dinner. The next day, we knew salmon had to be part of the lunchtime menu. Jeff simply wanted a BLT, so we compromised and made SBLATs for the women, and plain ol’ BLTs for the boys. More salmon for us!
Like these paninis, we finished the SBLATs in a grill pan and used a panini press to grill the bread and heat up the salmon and other insides in the process. I love using a grill pan or griddle for sandwiches, and the press makes the process so much easier. I’m currently looking for an old cattle brander to turn into a press whenever I go antique shopping–wouldn’t that be fun?
SBLAT, or BLTAS, or Salmon & Avocado BLT
Makes 1 sandwich
Ingredients:
2 pieces sourdough bread
3 pieces bacon, cooked
1 large piece lettuce
3-4 slices tomato
2 ounces barbecued salmon
1/2 avocado, sliced
1 tablespoon garlic aioli.
Steps:
Heat grill pan over medium heat.
Assemble sandwich by spreading garlic aioli on each side of the bread. Add salmon, tomato, bacon, avocado, and lettuce.
Place sandwich in the grill pan and cover with the grill press. Cook until bread is grilled and salmon is warm, about 4-5 minutes per side.
Cut in half and serve immediately–enjoy!
Time: 15 minutes
