California BLT's Blat - Barefoot Contessa

Ingredients

• 6 slices smoked bacon
• 4 slices good white bread, cut 1/2-inch thick
• 4 tablespoons good mayonnaise (recommended ( Hellman's or Bestfoods)
• 4-8 tender green lettuce leaves, washed and spun very dry
• 1 ripe Hass avocado
• 1/2 lemon, juice of
• 1 large ripe tomato, sliced 1/2-inch thick
• kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

2. 2

   Place a baking wire rack on a sheet pan and arrange the bacon on the rack in a single layer. Bake for 15 to 25 minutes, until the bacon is browned and crisp. Drain on paper towels and set aside.

3. 3

   Place the bread slices on a sheet pan and toast them for 5 minutes. Turn the slices and toast for 1 more minute, until all the bread is evenly browned. Place 2 slices on a cutting board. Spread each slice with about 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise. Cover the slices with a layer of lettuce. Peel the avocado and slice it 1/2-inch thick. Toss the avocado slices gently with the lemon juice, and arrange on top of the lettuce leaves. Place 3 slices of bacon on top of each sandwich and then add a layer of tomato slices on top of the bacon. Sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper.

4. 4

   Spread each of the remaining 2 slices of toasted bread with 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise and place, mayonnaise side down, on the sandwiches. Cut in half and serve.