A dietitian and food expert has shared a common ingredient that can elevate a classic BLT sandwich to new heights, and it takes only seconds to prepare.
The Secret Ingredient for a Better BLT
Sandwiches are a staple of quick lunches, whether homemade or store-bought. The BLT (bacon, lettuce, and tomato) remains a timeless choice, offering a delicious mix of freshness and saltiness in every bite. To give this humble sandwich an extra flavor boost, dietitian and food expert Sara Haas revealed a simple addition she uses to take it to the next level. If you already spread mayonnaise on your bread, try grating some garlic into it.
Writing for Simply Recipes, Sara said: "Though there may be nothing wrong with your BLT sandwich, what if I told you that one ingredient you already have in the kitchen could take it to the next level? I learned this easy trick from Southern Living's classic BLT recipe: Grate garlic into the mayonnaise. It's as easy as that!"
How Garlic Enhances the Sandwich
Sara explained that incorporating garlic into the mayo allows the other ingredients to stand out and intensify in flavor. Garlic plays a vital supporting role in the BLT. She wrote: "This is the reason why you should add garlic to your BLT. That big, bold, aromatic flavour it provides heightens the bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes, creating the most craveable BLT! But don't worry. You're not adding so much that all you taste is garlic."
The key is not to overpower the sandwich with the sharp, tangy taste of garlic. That is why Southern Living recommends using mayonnaise as the vehicle for carrying the garlic. The most effective way to incorporate it is to grate the garlic directly into the mayo. This method allows you to achieve the bold flavor of the mayonnaise while the mayo tempers the pungent allium.
Tips for Preparing Garlic Mayo
Using mayo as a base makes it easier to distribute the garlic flavor throughout the sandwich. Grating the garlic yields the best results, but if a grater is not available, Sara suggests smashing the garlic bulb instead. Remove the skin and finely chop the garlic until you have tiny pieces, then stir them directly into the mayo. Simply spread as much garlic mayo as you like. Any leftover garlic mayo should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge, where it will keep for up to three days.
