Tag Archive for Canola oil

BLT With A Twist

Fried BLT on a plate - The Surprised GourmetDo you sometimes just need a quick and easy meal? Then why not give the tried and true BLT a try with a little twist for a different taste?

When preparing this dish, I used a loaf of Italian Bread, but you could use French bread just as easy. I didn’t use regular loaf bread as that follows the traditional recipe and we’re looking to give this a few twists.

To begin with, I cut a large semi-ripe tomato into ¼-inch slices. I would have preferred to use a green tomato but didn’t have one handy at the time. I battered the slices in a mixture of corn meal mix, Lawry’s Garlic Salt, and fresh ground black pepper. Then I fried the slices in a skillet using Canola oil. When the slices were golden brown, I placed them on a paper towel to drain.Fried BLT shown open - The Surprised Gourmet

While the tomato was frying, I fried the bacon in a second skillet until it was crispy. If you prefer your bacon a little more flexible, that works too. Place the bacon on paper towels to drain when it reaches the desired texture you want.

Next using about ¾ of the Italian loaf, I cut the bread in half lengthwise. You can use the entire loaf if you so desire, depending on the amount of sandwich you want to make. I covered each half of the bread generously with mayonnaise. To add even more of a twist you could add mustard or use it instead of the mayo.

I placed a layer of spinach on one half the bread and topped that off with the slices of Kraft Velveeta Sharp Cheddar Cheese. Next I added the bacon and finish the sandwich off with the slices of fried tomato. Add the top half of your sandwich, press down and then cut into desired sections. This sandwich can be a bit messy so be sure to have plenty of napkins handy.

Fried BLT - The Surprised GourmetThis Fried Tomato BLT can be served alone or with a portion of homemade potato wedges (you can find out how to prepare them here).

When you finish with your frying, don’t throw the oil away. Save your bacon drippings and any oil left from the fried tomato. Put the oils in separate glass containers, cover them, refrigerate and use within a few days. You can filter the oil through a cheese cloth to remove any unwanted sediment.

Have you ever tried a Fried Tomato BLT before? Do you even like Fried Green Tomatoes? Care to share a family favorite sandwich or a quick meal with us?

Thanks for visiting, here’s the recipe.

Cucina felice!

BLT With A Twist

Rating 

Serves: 2 to 3 servings

Ingredients
  • ¾ Loaf Italian Bread (or French Bread)
  • 1 Pack (12 ounces) Bacon
  • 1 Large Semi-Ripe Tomato
  • 1 Cup Spinach, Packed
  • 3 Slices Kraft Velveeta Sharp Cheddar Cheese
  • Mayonnaise
  • Lawry’s Garlic Salt (to taste)
  • Fresh Ground Black Pepper (to taste)
  • ½ Cup Corn Meal Mix
  • Canola Oil
Instructions
  1. Fry the bacon until crispy and set aside on paper towels to drain. You can bake the bacon in the oven if you prefer.
  2. Cut the tomato into ¼-inch slices and batter in a mixture of corn meal mix, Lawry’s Garlic Salt and fresh ground black pepper. Fry the tomato in Canola oil (enough to cover the slices) until they are golden brown, set aside on paper towels to drain.
  3. Cut the bread in half lengthwise. Cover each side with mayonnaise to taste.
  4. Put a layer of spinach on top of one half of the bread and top with the slices of Kraft Velveeta Sharp Cheddar Cheese. Place the bacon next followed by the slices of Fried tomato. Put the top on the sandwich, pressed down and then cut into desired sections.

 

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Simple Pleasures Breakfast

Enjoying breakfast outdoors

Enjoying breakfast outdoors

Do you and your family have a favorite breakfast ritual? Is there anything special that y’all do concerning breakfast on those days everyone can enjoy it together?

For our family, it’s eating outdoors on the picnic table when the weather permits. And we have been known to eat out there even when the wind was blowing so hard you had to anchor everything down to keep it on the table.

There’s just something about eating outdoors, looking out over the lake that enhances any meal. Maybe it’s because the experience relaxes you and you’re able to enjoy your meal that much better without the interruptions you have indoors from TVs and such.

You can take simple dishes and make them an enjoyable meal. You have little stress preparing the food and the time to enjoy the simple pleasures of those you’re with.

Cutting the ingredients for the muffin

Cutting the ingredients for the muffin

One of our favorite breakfast meals is homemade fries and an English muffin filled with ham, scrambled egg and a slice of Kraft Velveeta Sharp Cheddar Cheese. Pair that with a cup of fresh ground Dark Italian Roast coffee and you have a delicious combination.

A meal doesn’t have to always be fancy and elegant to be enjoyed. The time you spend enjoying the meal with family and friends is what makes it special.

I start with four average size potatoes, wash and pat dry. Then cut them into wedges leaving the skins on. Put enough Canola oil in a skillet to cover the potatoes completely. Turn the oil on high to begin with. Once it’s heated up, turn the heat to medium, add potatoes carefully and cook until golden brown, turning occasionally.

The home fries cooking in Canola oil

The home fries cooking in Canola oil

While the potatoes are cooking, cut English muffins in half and toast. Just pop them in the toaster to achieve your desired texture.

Using a cookie cutter (or plastic Tupperware container like I do), cut the ham and cheese into circles the same size as the muffins. Scramble your eggs, but leave them in an omelete-like texture so you can also cut circles out of them. You can add the excess pieces from the circles to the muffins if you want a little extra in your muffin. You can add butter, mayonnaise, mustard or nothing to your muffin before you begin assembling it.

Ready to enjoy

Ready to enjoy

When the potatoes are done, carefully remove them and place on paper towels to drain. Quickly sprinkle your choice of seasoning on them. I use Lawry’s Garlic Salt and fresh ground black pepper for a nice bite.

Assemble your muffins and home fries on a plate, grab a cup of coffee and joins us at the picnic table. It’s a great way to enjoy good food, good company, and watch the boaters go by.

Cucina felice!

Simple Pleasures Breakfast

Rating 

Serves: 2

Ingredients
  • 4 Average size potatoes
  • 2 Large eggs
  • 2 Slices Kraft Velveeta Sharp Cheddar Cheese
  • 4 Slices cooked sandwich ham
  • 2 English muffins
  • Canola oil
  • Lawry's Garlic Salt
  • Fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
  1. Wash and dry potatoes, cut into wedges. Heat Canola oil in skillet (enough to completely cover potatoes). Once oil is hot, turn down to medium heat and carefully add potatoes. Cook until golden brown, stirring occasionally.
  2. Scramble eggs in a splash of Canola oil. Cook until the texture of an omelet and remove.
  3. Cut English muffins in half and toast.
  4. Using cookie cutter, cut circles the size of the muffins in the eggs, ham and cheese. Excess from the circles can be added to the muffins.
  5. You can add butter, mayonnaise, mustard or nothing to the muffins and then begin your assembly. Place the ham, cheese and egg on a muffin half, top with the other muffin half and place on a plate.
  6. When the home fries are golden brown, carefully remove from oil and place on paper towels to drain. Sprinkle your choice of seasonings (garlic salt, black pepper, etc.) on the fries while they are piping hot. Add to plate with English muffin and serve.
  7. The home fries are good by themselves or dabbed in your favorite condiments.

Yum

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