BLT & Avocado Stack | One Pot One Portion
While I am new to the debate about which way is the best way to make your BLT, I like to think I’ve done my research thoroughly. And I can tell you these 4 things. The bacon should be smoked, the bread should be very very lightly toasted, the lettuce should be crisp and the tomato should in fact be replaced by ballymaloe relish. Because why add a plain tomato when you can add a perfectly balanced tomato relish! 29 years in the making, and I think it's worth every second!
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My BLT & Avocado Stack: Your Ultimate Single-Serve Sandwich Reinvented
Are you craving the timeless taste of a classic BLT but want something a little more substantial, fresh, and perfectly portioned just for you? Look no further than my BLT & Avocado Stack! This recipe takes everything you love about that iconic sandwich – the crispy bacon, the fresh lettuce – and elevates it with a secret ingredient for maximum flavour, plus creamy avocado, creating a sandwich that's incredibly satisfying and designed entirely for cooking for one.
About This Dish
My BLT & Avocado Stack is a culinary reimagining of the beloved bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich, with a few crucial upgrades. Forget the raw tomato; I've found a better way- Ballymaloe Relish! The addition of creamy avocado brings a rich, buttery counterpoint, transforming the traditional BLT into a more luxurious and balanced meal.
This dish celebrates simplicity and carefully chosen ingredients. The salty crispness of smoked bacon, the cool crunch of crisp lettuce, and the vibrant, perfectly balanced tang of Ballymaloe Relish come together on a very lightly toasted piece of bread. The smooth, healthy fats of avocado complete this blend of textures and tastes, making it a fantastic alternative to a standard sandwich and a perfect dinner for one when you want something comforting yet fresh. Think of it as a gourmet toast that's surprisingly easy to assemble, where every element has been considered for ultimate deliciousness.
Why You'll Want to Make My Recipe
My BLT & Avocado Stack is an absolute game-changer for anyone seeking a quick, satisfying, and utterly delicious meal designed specifically for a single serving. Whether you're a busy solo cook, a student looking for a substantial yet simple meal, an empty nester who's tired of cooking for a crowd, a single parent needing a fast and nourishing option, or simply someone who appreciates the efficiency of cooking for one, this recipe is crafted for you.
Single Serve
This recipe is inherently a single-serve sensation. Every ingredient is portioned to create one perfect stack, eliminating waste and ensuring you have just the right amount for a satisfying meal without leftovers. It's truly a one portion marvel, designed for effortless enjoyment when you're cooking for one.
15-Minute Meal
From start to finish, you can have this delicious stack ready in approximately 15 minutes. The fastest part is cooking the bacon and toasting the bread, while the assembly is quick and intuitive. This makes it an ideal choice for a speedy lunch, a fuss-free dinner for one, or even a quick, hearty breakfast. No long waits, just deliciousness in a flash.
One Pan
With one frying pan for the bacon and a toaster for the bread, cleanup is incredibly easy. It’s a one-pot wonder that keeps your kitchen tidy while delivering maximum flavour.
Top Tips for a Perfect BLT & Avocado Stack: Mastering the Art of Simplicity
Achieving the perfect BLT & Avocado Stack isn't about complex techniques; it's about nailing a few fundamental steps that guarantee a delicious outcome every time.
- Crispy Smoked Bacon is Non-Negotiable: The "B" in BLT stands for bacon, and its crispness is paramount. I specify smoked bacon because it brings an extra layer of depth and savouriness. Start with a cold pan and lay your bacon strips flat. Cook over medium heat, allowing the fat to render slowly and the bacon to become beautifully golden and crisp. Don't rush it! Once cooked, immediately transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess fat and ensure maximum crunch. This makes all the difference in your avocado BLT.
- Toast Your Bread Very, Very Lightly: This is a crucial detail for my version of the BLT. You want the bread to be just warm, with a whisper of crispness on the outside, but still soft and yielding on the inside. This provides the essential sturdy base without overwhelming the other delicate textures. A regular toaster set to its lowest setting usually does the trick.
- The Ballymaloe Relish Advantage: Forget plain, often watery, tomato slices. My secret weapon is Ballymaloe Relish. This perfectly balanced tomato relish offers a concentrated burst of sweet, tangy, and savoury flavour that a fresh tomato just can't compete with in a sandwich. Its consistency also means no soggy bread! Spread it generously on your lightly toasted bread for a superior taste experience.
- Choose a Ripe Avocado: The creaminess of the avocado is a key element that elevates this BLT. For perfect slicing and a smooth texture, choose an avocado that yields slightly to gentle pressure when squeezed but isn't mushy. If it's too hard, it won't be creamy; if it's too soft, it will be difficult to slice neatly.
- Layer with Care: The order of layering matters for both structural integrity and optimal flavour experience. Start with your chosen spread (Ballymaloe Relish, of course!), then your crisp lettuce, followed by the crispy bacon, and finally, the avocado slices.
Ingredients and Tools
Having the right ingredients and a few basic tools streamlines your cooking process and guarantees a fantastic outcome.
Essential Ingredients:
- Smoked Bacon: Three rashers are perfect for a single serving, providing ample crispy goodness. Smoked bacon delivers a deeper, more robust flavour.
- Ballymaloe Relish: My secret weapon for replacing the traditional tomato. This rich, flavourful tomato relish adds depth, sweetness, and tang without the watery drawbacks of a fresh tomato slice.
- Bread: Two slices are the foundation of your stack. Choose your favourite – a good quality white loaf, sourdough, or wholemeal bread all work wonderfully when very lightly toasted.
- Lettuce: Three to four leaves of crisp lettuce are essential for that refreshing crunch and visual appeal. Cos lettuce, iceberg, or butter lettuce are all good choices.
- Avocado (optional): Half an avocado adds a luxurious, creamy texture and healthy fats, elevating the classic BLT into an avocado BLT. It's optional, but highly recommended for an extra special touch.
- Salt: To season the avocado (if using), enhancing its natural flavours.
- Black pepper: Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle kick and aroma, particularly good over the avocado.
Optional Extras (for even more flavour!):
- Red onion: Thinly sliced red onion can add a sharp, pungent bite.
- Chilli flakes: A sprinkle of chilli flakes for those who enjoy a little heat.
- Coriander/Cilantro: A few fresh leaves of coriander or cilantro can add a bright, herbaceous note, especially with the avocado.
- Lemon juice: A squeeze of lemon juice over the avocado prevents browning and brightens the flavour.
Essential Tools:
- Frying Pan: A medium-sized frying pan is all you need for cooking the bacon.
- Toaster: For perfectly toasting your bread very lightly. If you don't have a toaster, you can use the frying pan or grill/broiler, keeping a close eye on it.
- Chopping Board: Essential for preparing the lettuce and avocado.
- Sharp Knife: For slicing the avocado and any optional additions.
- Spatula: For turning the bacon.
- Paper Towels: For draining cooked bacon to ensure maximum crispiness.
Delicious Variations: Customising My Stack
My BLT & Avocado Stack is incredibly versatile! Feel free to adapt it to your taste or dietary needs.
- Making it Gluten-Free: Simply swap your chosen bread for a gluten-free bread of similar size and texture. Ensure any added sauces or seasonings (like Ballymaloe Relish, though it's typically gluten-free, it's always good to check for severe allergies) are also gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
- Making it Dairy-Free: This recipe is naturally dairy-free! Ballymaloe Relish and mayonnaise (if you choose to add any beyond the relish, though it's not in my core recipe) are typically dairy-free, but always double-check the label if you have severe allergies. No other dairy products are used.
- Making it Vegetarian: The "B" (bacon) is the primary ingredient to substitute here.
- Vegan Bacon: There are many excellent vegan bacon alternatives available now, made from tempeh, seitan, or plant-based proteins. Cook these according to package instructions until crispy.
- Halloumi: If you're vegetarian but eat cheese, consider grilling or pan-frying slices of halloumi until golden and crisp. It offers a salty, satisfying chew similar to bacon, making it a great alternative if you love that texture.
- Smoked Tofu/Tempeh: Thinly sliced and pan-fried smoked tofu or tempeh can provide a good smoky, savoury flavour and texture.
- Grilled Mushrooms: Thick slices of grilled portobello mushrooms, marinated in a little soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free) and smoked paprika, can offer a "meaty" texture and a delicious earthiness.
- Making it Vegan: This requires replacing the bacon and potentially checking the bread ingredients for dairy or eggs.
- Vegan Bacon: As mentioned above, use a good quality vegan bacon substitute.
- Vegan Mayonnaise: If you decide to add a layer of mayo, use a plant-based mayonnaise, readily available in most supermarkets.
- The rest of the ingredients (bread - check for dairy/eggs, lettuce, Ballymaloe Relish, avocado) are typically vegan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is a BLT?
A: A BLT is a classic sandwich, renowned for its simple yet perfect combination of Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato, usually served on toasted bread with mayonnaise. My BLT & Avocado Stack reimagines this classic, replacing the fresh tomato with the superior Ballymaloe Relish and adding creamy avocado.
Q: Why do you suggest Ballymaloe Relish instead of fresh tomato?
A: This is my strong preference! While fresh tomato is traditional, it can often make the bread soggy and the flavour can sometimes be a bit watery or bland. Ballymaloe Relish, on the other hand, provides a concentrated burst of sweet, tangy, and savoury tomato flavour that is perfectly balanced. Its thicker consistency also ensures your bread stays perfectly toasted and crisp, making for a much more enjoyable sandwich experience.
Q: Can I use different types of lettuce?
A: Absolutely! While crisp lettuce like Cos or iceberg provides a great crunch, feel free to use your favourite. Butter lettuce offers a softer texture, while rocket/arugula adds a peppery kick. The key is to have something fresh and crunchy to balance the richness of the bacon and avocado.
Q: How do I store leftover ingredients?
A: This recipe is designed as a single-serve meal to minimise leftovers. However, if you have extra bacon, lettuce, or Ballymaloe Relish, store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Cooked bacon can be stored for 3-4 days. Avocado is best used immediately once cut, as it browns quickly (though a squeeze of lemon juice can help prevent this for a short time).
Q: Can I make this in advance?
A: It's best enjoyed immediately after assembly to ensure the freshest taste and crispest textures. The bread can get soggy if left too long, and avocado browns. However, you can prep components in advance: cook the bacon, wash and dry the lettuce. Then, just assemble everything just before eating for a super quick meal. This makes it a perfect grab-and-go option for cooking for one.
Enjoy my incredibly easy, satisfying, and perfectly portioned BLT & Avocado Stack! It's the ultimate example of how simple ingredients can create something truly delicious when you're cooking for one.
Ingredients
For one sandwich you need:
3 rashers of Smoked Bacon
Olive Oil
1 Tbsp Ballymaloe Relish
2 Slices of Bread
Butter
3-4 Leaves of Lettuce
1/2 Avocado, optional
Salt
Black Pepper
Instructions
- Add you bacon to a cold pan with a little olive oil and place over a medium heat. Cook until the bacon is crisp and drain on paper towel.
- Lightly toast your bread and then spread with butter, then assemble your sandwich starting with ballymaloe relish, lettuce, then bacon and finally the avocado. Season lightly with salt and pepper and enjoy.
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Meal Plans & More...
Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly meal plans, for one! I select 5 one pot one portion recipes that use similar ingredients and include your shopping list plus recipe notes, ingredient swaps and tips and tricks for using up leftovers. Take a look at the first one here...
Ginger Chicken Rice Bowl
Usually I would consider a brothy meal that you eat with a bowl and a spoon a form of comfort food, however, the flavours in this dish are so fresh and vibrant that it has to go in this chapter. I love the fiery freshness of ginger and it’s the predominant flavour in this rich chicken broth. The finished dish isn’t a soup as such, but there is just enough broth to make every mouthful deliciously juicy. It also takes minimal time to make so it’s a useful recipe to have on hand for days when you’re short of time.
Curried Chicken Skewers with Satay Slaw
I have an affinity for crunchy slaws, as I think they provide more interest, more texture and are more filling than many other salads. However, I’m not partial to excessive quantities of mayonnaise. Here I opt for coconut milk instead, which delivers the same creaminess in a less monotonous way. The fresh coriander and bite of roasted peanuts keep this slaw lively and interesting and are perfect with the lightly charred curried chicken skewers. This would also be great sandwiched between a burger bun, or on a soft flatbread.
Creamy Green Linguine
In a way, this linguine changed my life. It was the first recipe in the series to take off on social media, bringing new people and new opportunities into my life. It’s an exceptionally simple recipe that uses the same water to cook both the pasta and the vegetables, which you then use to create a velvety, carbonara-esque sauce with the cheese and egg. I’ve retested this and tweaked it since its original conception and, though I can’t promise it will change your life, I can promise it will be delicious.
Vegetable Pancake with a Chilli Crisp Egg
This vegetable pancake has its origin in Korea (where they’re known as yachaejeon) and is the perfect dish to use up odds and ends of any vegetables you have lying around. Cabbage, spring onions, carrots and courgettes work really well and provide a nice balance of moisture and crunch, but peppers, potatoes, mushrooms or leafy greens are good alternatives. Depending on the vegetables you use, you may need more or less water to make the light batter so adjust as necessary.
Prawn & Mango Salad
The perfect fresh, but still flavourful, summer salad! This is a beautiful fragrant salad with a creamy, zingy coconut milk dressing. With just a little bit of chopping and a minute of whisking, you’ve got a gorgeous summer lunch, perfect for working from home, taking lunch to the office or a sunny meal in the garden this weekend.
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"One Pot One Portion is, to borrow from The Parent Trap “a brilliant beyond brilliant idea”…I know many feel that it’s too much bother to cook ‘just’ for themselves — a sad admission, I feel — and to those people, and many others besides, I say: get this book and prove yourself liberatingly wrong!…Thank goodness for books! And thank goodness for Eleanor Wilkinson, a young talent to lift the spirits…There are so many people who could benefit from this book…this book is a boon and a blessing"
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I buy a lot of cook books and this is genuinely one of the best l've ever bought. I've tried 6 or 7 recipes so far and they're all winners. I'm well used to scaling recipes down to one portion, but not having to calculate measurements as l go along feels like a little luxury. One of the best things about the book is that all the recipes are actually cooked in one pot - in a lot of other so-called books you still have to make your side dish in a separate pot. With these recipes, even if they include rice or pasta, it's all cooked together. No mountains of washing up! Highly recommended.
I have been following Eleanor on IG for a while and have made several of her dishes before the cookbook came out. I was thrilled to see so many new things to try and have already made about 6 of them. Her recipes are approachable, the dishes are delicious, and they make me feel like I can cook! Highly recommend.
If you love eating good home cooked food but can't be bothered to cook just for yourself, then this is the book for you. Using ingredients that are easy to find, then mixing, cooking and eating from the same pan or dish means a minimum of washing up. Every recipe I have tried so far has been delicious and have all turned out well which isn't always the case with many cookery books. Definitely recommend!
Following Eleanor on Instagram and seeing her recipes come to life is one thing but then having them in my own kitchen is quite another. Not only are the recipes easy to follow and delicious she also help you not to waste food. This book is like having all your favourite foods in one place with the added bonus of an old friend showing you the ropes. Congratulations Eleanor when can I pre-order the next one?
Bought this for my sister who cooks for one. She absolutely loved it finding it inspiring! So many great recipes to motivate and keep you cooking when it's just you eating!
Follow Eleanor on socials and knew I NEEDED this book immediately! SO glad I paid extra and had it shipped from the UK (to US). Eleanor's voice is loud and clear in every recipe. The pictures are beautiful, the instructions are perfectly clear, and I want to make EVERYTHING. I cannot recommend this book enough!
This is perfect, as far as influencer chefs go, I find this book refreshing in what has become a cohort of lauded influencers who really aren't doing much more than the bog standard meals most people make anyway, or making googled recipes and adding their own "flair". This book is different as it's your normal fare you'd likely make yourself, given a little bit of a twist to speed up the process / use less utensils / ingredients / food waste, in really creative and tasty ways, all perfectly portioned for one.
Great present! Bought this for my sister who cooks for one. She absolutely loved it finding it inspiring! So many great recipes to motivate and keep you cooking when it's just you eating!
Great present! Bought this for my sister who cooks for one. She absolutely loved it finding it inspiring! So many great recipes to motivate and keep you cooking when it's just you
Follow Eleanor on socials and knew I NEEDED this book immediately! SO glad I paid extra and had it shipped from the UK (to US). Eleanor's voice is loud and clear in every recipe. The pictures are beautiful, the instructions are perfectly clear, and I want to make EVERYTHING. I cannot recommend this book enough!
This recipe book is stunning and fulfils its role brilliantly in catering for individuals who want to eat delicious meals, but don't want to prepare family sized portions or devote their entire evening to cooking. Who'd believe you could make an entire roast for one person and only use one pan in the process! She is a genius and I couldn't recommend this book any more highly.
One of the best things about the book is that all the recipes are actually cooked in one pot - in a lot of other so-called books you still have to make your side dish in a separate pot. With these recipes, even if they include rice or pasta, it's all cooked together. No mountains of washing up!
This is the book I've been waiting for! I (very happily!) live alone, love to cook and read cookery books, but every recipe is for two people or more. This gorgeous book contains recipes perfectly proportioned for one person (and I'm always a very hungry one person!) which ensures more variety, less food waste, and pure, gluttonous joy.
It's so nice to finally have a recipe book that I can go to if I want a quick easy meal with minimal cleaning up required! Everything l've tried so far is delicious. And I salivate at the thought of everything in there!
Totally reignited my cooking mojo which had been MIA for a while. I'm going to buy my daughter a copy to take back to Uni too as everything is simple and delicious - perfect for a student!
Best cookbook for somebody single!
The fact I know I won't have loads to wash up really feels motivating and l've earmarked so many of the recipes already.
This book is like having all your favourite foods in one place with the added bonus of an old friend showing you the ropes. Congratulations Eleanor when can I pre-order the next one?