The Blt Cookbook: Our Favorite Sandwich

Why write a cookbook on the BLT? The very name of the sandwich reveals how to make it, and the classic combination of bread, bacon, lettuce and tomato needs no alteration or addition to satisfy. However, to Jordan, a California chef, radio host and columnist, the classic sandwich is just the beginning of BLT possibilities. She offers 60 variations in soup, pasta, and even strudel form, such as Bacon, Leek, and Tomato Strudel and Pasta Salad with Bacon, Tomatoes, and Bocconcini (little balls of mozzarella that lend a delicious chewiness to the proceedings). Risking charges of heresy, Jordan even gives the recipe for a vegetarian VLT, which calls for crisp-fried leeks instead of bacon. It's surprisingly tempting. And while this cookbook doesn't contain much else to entice a vegetarian, it does offer much to please anyone who enjoys bacon, tomatoes and lettuce--in every possible incarnation. Also included are recipes for mayonnaise, aoli and other appropriate condiments.