Duke's or Hellman's? And the perfect BLT lunch.

Mayonnaise was my first love.  As a child its presence as a staple nurtured me. Today, I am still in love with it.  I even tried making it (epic fail).   Its texture, its flavor, its fulfilling presence on anything never ceases to keep me coming back for more to the point of perhaps a slight addiction.  Mayonnaise and mashed potatoes?  Perhaps as a side with corn?  Sick. With hot dogs, for sure!     On a high school trip in Belgium I discovered its common pairing with fries. How perfect!   Today, the poor servers that forget to bring my requested side(s) of mayo risk being accused of not caring.  In short, I'm a Mayonnaise nut.

Duke's or Hellmanns?   An age-old "debate."  What is your favorite?  There is a stark difference between the two. Some say there is beauty in simplicity and that is why Duke's, with its sugar-free neutrality, has become the mayo of choice for many, particularly in southern kitchens.  But for me, it has be to Hellmanns.  I prefer the saltier, sharper flavor of Hellmans.  Hellmans also has a higher content of citric acid which makes it more tangy and pronounced than Dukes.  Some would say over-influencing.  I am a mayonnaise nut, so having it influence the flavor profile is OK with me.  

The BLT, deconstructed in my kitchen

After a morning run yesterday, slogging off the excesses of the day before, I got home craving a good lunch. Something fulfilling and fresh, and easy.   Lunches, my favorite meals of the day, are a constant focus for me.  How creative, where to get them, stay in or eat out, light and salady, or something sandwichy and filling?  Tough decisions! 

I decided to make a Bacon Lettuce and Tomato sandwich.  A good ole BLT.  Simple, easy, yum. 






Freshly sliced Hanover tomatoes

The TOMATOES: A few days ago I picked up several unripened Hanover Tomatoes from the grocery store (tragically, I didn't grow my own this summer).  I've been on a tomato kick eating them all week.  Caprese salad, stuffed tomatoes, tomato omelets, tomato sandwiches with english muffins, and even a friend made tomato aspic the other night (bravo J!).  It's been a tomato week!    It's always tempting to buy the imported, beautifully red tomatoes at the store - just because they look better and often are riper than local tomatoes.  But do Canadian tomatoes taste better?  No.  When eating, flavor matters.  Who wants a bland tomato?    Ultimately it's best to find a local produce stand where you can get ripened local tomatoes, but in the event that you're stuck in a Kroger or Martins and have two choices, opt for the local, even if it means waiting for them to ripen a few days at home.  

Why is a BLT sandwich so simple and rewarding?   Two words: Bacon and Mayonnaise.  I used Oscar Meyer applewood-smoked super thick-cut bacon and Hellmann's mayonnaise. Pepridge farm white oat was my bread of chouce.  Toast the toast, fry the bacon, slice the tomatoes (thickly), pick the lettuce (bibb lettuce is my fave), sprinkle with salt and pepper, smother with mayonnaise (on both slices of toast), compile, and eat.    Your kitchen will smell great and your mouth will thank you for one of summer's simple pleasures: a well-made BLT.     For a beverage accompaniment, I suggest a glass of Northern Neck Ginger Ale on ice.  

A satisfying lunch and a great excuse to dip into the mayo and enjoy some local tomatoes!

Austin