BLT is a very enticing word that can make anyone drool. Kids love the crispy bacon, whilst older more health conscious adults love the freshness of the veggies. Perhaps the only ingredient that is non-Paleo in BLT is its bread, but that too can be changed by making the recipe more Paleo friendly.
When you are into the Paleo diet, you’ll be surprised how you can mix and match foods perfectly and can even make some food taste better. There are so many dishes that fit into the Paleo diet with just very few adjustments and substitutions needing to be made. Not only do these substitutions level up the taste, they allow a person to experiment with and explore options that are more healthy. The range of foods available to us in the Paleo diet is vast, and even my all-time favorite BLT can become Paleo friendly.
There are so many guilt-inducing foods, and BLT is considered one of them, along with tacos, burgers and meat loafs. These are foods that we grew up loving but started to feel guilty eating as we get older. But if you look at it, these foods are actually what great Paleo meals are made of- meat and a lot of fresh ingredients. We still get to eat the food that we enjoy the most. Which is why I choose to feature a classic favorite BLT with a Paleo twist. This BLT is truly a recipe that will not make you miss the traditional BLT recipes.
Paleo BLT
Ingredients for the Filling:
- Tomatoes
- Lettuce
- Bacon
Now comes the best part, making the bread that you use in your own delicious tasting BLT!
- ¾ Cup (177 g) Almond Butter
- 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) Honey or Maple Syrup
- 6 Eggs
- ¼ Cup (60 g) Coconut Oil – Melted
- ¼ Cup (60 g) Almond Flour
- ¼ Cup (60 g) Ground Flax
- ½ Teaspoon (2.5 g) Baking Soda
- 2 Tablespoons (30 g) Coconut Flour
- ½ Teaspoon (2.5 g) Salt
- Mixed Seeds
- • Since we are going to be using the oven, preheat it to 350°F, and butter a small bread pan and set aside.
- • In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, almond butter, oil and honey (or the maple syrup). Make sure you mix all these ingredients together well.
- • Now add all the dry ingredients into the mixture. Mix well and make sure there are no lumps.
- • Pour the batter into the greased pan and sprinkle the mixed seeds on top.
- • Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes.
- • Remove baked bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Now it’s time to assemble your BLT!!!
- Wash tomatoes and lettuce well to remove any dirt and/or pesticide. (organic tomatoes and lettuce don’t have pesticides, but rinsing them is still a must)
- Slice tomatoes as thin or thick as you want. Separate lettuce leaves and set aside with tomatoes.
- For the bacon, get a non-stick pan over medium to high heat. Lay the bacon strips with just enough space there won’t be any sticking to another piece. You don’t need oil, the bacon will cook on its own. Cook each side according to the level of crispiness you want.
- Place the cooked bacon on a plate with some paper towel before you assemble your BLT. This will help remove any excess oil and make the bacon crispier.
- In a tray or serving dish, assemble your BLT. It can be just a single layer of bacon, tomatoes, and lettuce set between two slices of your beautiful Paleo bread or be as high and as many layers as you want.
- Serve and indulge in this all-time favorite!
You might have noticed how I’ve put the emphasis on the bacon. Well, who doesn’t love bacon? It is the star of this BLT, besides the bread, so choosing the best bacon is the key for a satisfying BLT. Choose bacon that’s not too thin or you’ll end up not satisfied with it, nor too thick that you can’t achieve the crispiness you want. Cooking bacon without oil is also better since it releases oil as it cooks. Cooking it in no oil and drying its oil off with a paper towel will prevent it from being too soggy.
Choose organic bacon if possible, or bacon produced from pigs that are free to roam. Not only are these pigs healthier, their meat will also have less fat and are leaner. Organic bacon is also rich in Omega 3 fatty acids which actually makes it heart friendly. It is also rich in several vitamins such as Vitamin B2, B6, and B12, along with zinc, thiamin, and other important nutrients. Bacon is also a mood-enhancer, so don’t be surprised if you feel good after eating a piece or two.
Paleo BLT is definitely one meal that you will no longer feel guilty about. So technically, Paleo BLT doesn’t really lead you astray. It is a satisfying, healthy food that you can enjoy and share with your family and friends. So sit back, relax, and enjoy every bite of your Paleo BLT.