Marinated Tomato BLATS {THIS IS THE BEST BLT YOU WILL EVER EAT}!!

In the summer two things are for certain: I'm going to be growing lettuce in my container garden and I'm going to be eating my lettuce in tons of BLTs! 

Now we love a BLT in my house and we practically live on them in the summer once the lettuce starts coming in. Normally I make a classic BLT using farmer's market tomatoes and my homegrown lettuce. This year I wanted to branch out and try a lot of variations on the classic BLT.

My first BLT of Summer 2025 was a classic BLT with some homemade Benedictine Spread (cream cheese and cucumber spread). I used the Benedictine Spread in place of mayo and I enjoyed this BLT, but found that I preferred mayo over the Benedictine Spread. (You can see a picture in my last post).

Then I tried a BLT with pimiento cheese and enjoyed that, but again I preferred the classic BLT to that version as well.

Then I tried this version, the Marinated Tomato BLAT and LET ME TELL YOU RIGHT NOW...THIS IS THE VERY BEST BLT YOU WILL EVER EAT! Hands down going to be one of my favorite recipes this year! I've been telling everyone I know about it and I can't recommend it enough! 

So, what is a BLAT? A BLAT is a bacon, lettuce, avocado, and marinated tomato sandwich and it's just simply the best there is! Here's what sets it apart from the rest: MARINATED TOMATOES! All you need to do is find some really good tomatoes, slice them thin, put them in a dish, marinate them in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic and dried Italian seasoning. You want to try and let the tomatoes marinate for at least an hour, two if possible. 

And secondly, avocado...hello lovely! It belongs on every BLT from now on!

Now here's the best part! This is a no fuss no muss kinda recipe that holds well in the fridge and people can make them up as they get hungry. Buy a loaf of your favorite bread, wash up your lettuce, precook some bacon, and reach in for the marinated tomato. The avocado is the only item that needs cutting right before serving. 

Toast your bread, slather it with mayo and a drizzle of that tomato marinade, add your lettuce, your deliciously marinated tomato, your bacon and your sliced avocado. The marinated tomato and the avocado is what makes this so darn delicious. It's a beauty of a sandwich and it's so fresh and juicy and delicious. We love the layers of flavor and all the textures. It's just the epitome of summer food and WE WILL BE EATING THEM ALL SUMMER! You should too!

Marinated Tomato BLATS

Adapted from How Sweet Eats

by Jessica Merchant

Serves 2

2 ripe and fresh tomatoes, thinly sliced

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning

8 pieces sliced bacon 

lettuce, as many pieces as you'd like

1 avocado, thinly sliced, sprinkled with salt and pepper

1/4 cup mayonnaise

4 slices of your favorite bread, toasted 

Slice the tomatoes and place them in a 9x13 baking dish. In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and seasoning until combined. Pour it over the tomatoes. Cover the dish and stick the tomatoes in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or even longer. I flip the tomato slices a few times while marinating!

Cook the bacon in the oven on a baking sheet at 375F for 12-15 minutes, or until crispy and done as you like. To assemble the sandwiches, toast your bread. If you like, you can drizzle a bit of the tomato marinade on the bread! This makes for a messier but delicious sandwich. Spread one or both bread slices with mayonnaise. Add on your lettuce. Top with a few of the marinated tomato slices. Then top with the bacon and avocado slices,. Finish with the remaining bread, cut, and serve! 

Summer Sandwiches @ IHCC!