“Where would we be without salt?” – James Beard

B L (slow-roasted) T

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The tomatoes arrived orange. It has been nearly 9 months since I’ve had a decent tomato but if memory serves me correctly tomatoes are suppose to be red. Not just any red. The kind of red that makes Dorothy’s slippers seem dull and lifeless.

Red like the color of our first car. We called it the “Red Hot” and it was anything but hot. An Oldsmobile Achieva that we bought from Gabe’s grandparents and took with us when we move to LA.  It screamed to have American Flags waving from the back windows, so we obliged. There we were driving our intensely red, “red hot” down the streets of Beverly Hills, American Flags flapping proudly. He dropped me off at work in that car right along side the Bentley’s and Rolls’.

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Rather than trying to wait for the flavor to magically develop with the aid of a brown paper bag, which would merely hint at the tomatoes I will be tasting in a few months, I decided these orange tomatoes needed several hours in a warm oven. There they concentrate into a sweet acidic bite that perfectly accompanies bacon and lettuce sandwiched in between two pieces of lightly toasted bread.

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I’m talking about a B L slow-roasted T. Throw in the addition of a Basil mayo and you are looking at my latest favorite sandwich. One that can be eaten at any time, any place – even now as we wait for those “Red Hot”-like tomatoes that appear around here in late August. Until those intensely hot days that allow the tomato to concentrate the sun’s heat into an aromatic, sweet fruit, I will use the aid of my oven. I’m not complaining one bit.

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Oven Roasted Tomatoes

You can do this with essentially any tomato although the roasting time will vary. I used about 8 barely ripe Romas. I sliced them ¼” thick and laid those on a parchment lined sheet tray with a few sprigs of thyme. After a very light drizzle of olive oil and a whisper of salt (remember these will reduce by quite a bit so don’t overdo it with the salt at this point) they go into a 225* for about 4 hours or until shriveled around the edge while still maintaining a bit of juice. Because of the low oven heat these do not color at all but rather slowly concentrate their flavors and intensify.

If you don’t use all of your tomatoes simply cover the leftover with olive oil and place in the fridge. In fact, I highly recommend making a very large batch as these little beauties will find many great uses (pasta, antipasti, straight from the jar, cheese tray, grilled cheese, etc.)

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Basil Mayo

½ cup mayonnaise

3 Tablespoons basil, chopped

Stir together mayonnaise and basil.

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Apply basil mayo, generously to two slices of lightly toasted bread. Add crispy bacon, lettuce and cooled, roasted tomatoes.

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You’re welcome.

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65 Comments

  1. Posted June 12, 2011 at 11:46 PM | Permalink

    The tomatoes look so gorgeous – and the sandwich utterly delicious!

  2. Posted June 12, 2011 at 11:52 PM | Permalink

    I shouldn’t be reading this at night….*runs off to rummage fridge*

  3. Posted June 12, 2011 at 11:56 PM | Permalink

    I think I’m drooling. I’ve never had a BLT with roasted tomatoes. Must try!

  4. Posted June 13, 2011 at 12:19 AM | Permalink

    Great twist on a classic, love the photos.

  5. Posted June 13, 2011 at 2:28 AM | Permalink

    I MUST try these tomatoes. TODAY. Yum.

  6. Posted June 13, 2011 at 3:00 AM | Permalink

    Those tomatoes rock my world! Thanks for this. Sandwiches can seriously be the best.

  7. Posted June 13, 2011 at 3:03 AM | Permalink

    Oooh! You just made that look so simple and delish! Off to turn my sad Irish tomatoes into yummy, flavorful ones!

  8. Posted June 13, 2011 at 3:41 AM | Permalink

    This is my idea of perfection.

  9. Posted June 13, 2011 at 4:47 AM | Permalink

    This really does look soooo delicious. I love any and all vegetables slow roasted in the oven…especially when they go into soups too. What a wonderful sandwich. The photo of the bacon is great!

  10. Posted June 13, 2011 at 4:56 AM | Permalink

    Haha! I like the “You’re welcome” at the end. And here’s my “Thank you!” ;-)

  11. Posted June 13, 2011 at 5:58 AM | Permalink

    Oh my, these look amazing. This is an ‘I want to have that on my plate right now’ moment, definitely. And I will make it happen, maybe not today, but I’ll buy the ingredients in my next run to the groceries for sure!

  12. Posted June 13, 2011 at 6:43 AM | Permalink

    Wow nelly! I can smell the bacon. This looks great! We make a lot of pizza, to prevent a soggy crust but still enjoy fresh tomatoes on the pie I will roast them before I toss them on the pizza.

  13. Posted June 13, 2011 at 6:58 AM | Permalink

    oh… my…. I love BLTs but have never had them like this (obviously!) I am intrigued!

  14. Posted June 13, 2011 at 7:22 AM | Permalink

    This looks so incredibly good that I feel sad I’ll only have a plain dish of braised chickpeas for lunch.
    Magda

  15. Gabe
    Posted June 13, 2011 at 7:24 AM | Permalink

    Photos look amazing! This is almost enough to make me want to eat tomatoe ;)
    – your picky husband

  16. Posted June 13, 2011 at 8:50 AM | Permalink

    I agree! I want some good tomatoes! Nothing beats an awesome BLT..I think this fits that category

  17. Posted June 13, 2011 at 8:51 AM | Permalink

    I do love a good BLT, and roasting the tomatoes was a great idea!

  18. Posted June 13, 2011 at 1:34 PM | Permalink

    Slow roasting is a gods gift to less than stellar tomatoes. And basil mayo with bacon and lettuce- hello sweet salvation!

  19. Posted June 13, 2011 at 2:00 PM | Permalink

    Ashley, you’re pictures are STUNNING! Seriously, seriously stunning. But so is this recipe. I cannot wait to try it! Thanks for sharing!! : )

  20. Posted June 13, 2011 at 2:23 PM | Permalink

    this. looks. AWESOME.

    blt is absolutely my favorite sandwich, and this looks fantastic. if i wasn’t being a vegetarian this summer, i would be all over this guy. yum yum.

  21. Posted June 13, 2011 at 9:22 PM | Permalink

    Ohhhhh my goodness. Those tomatoes look SO freaking delicious… Four hours worth of roasting would be worth it. And basil mayo? I can smell this sandwich, and it smells awesome.

  22. Posted June 13, 2011 at 11:35 PM | Permalink

    Those are some of your best photos yet – forgetting the fact that I’m hungry and seriously want to eat that!

  23. Posted June 14, 2011 at 9:00 AM | Permalink

    This sandwich sounds heavenly! And what a great way to use those not-so-ripe-yet tomatoes, which I have been eyeing, yet ultimately walking away from at the grocery store.

  24. Posted June 14, 2011 at 9:51 AM | Permalink

    Wowee wow wow! I love a good BLT, but I have never taken it to this level. The photos are gorgeous!!!

  25. Posted June 14, 2011 at 11:47 AM | Permalink

    I wouldn’t have been able to shoot this without taking a bite either!

  26. Posted June 14, 2011 at 12:43 PM | Permalink

    Oh my god.

    I think I know what’s for brunch this coming weekend.

    Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

  27. e_grace
    Posted June 14, 2011 at 2:36 PM | Permalink

    This looks so delicious! Hurray for great sandwich pictures! Time to bring home the bacon :D

  28. M
    Posted June 14, 2011 at 4:07 PM | Permalink

    Wow – amazing. Wondering about the bacon, it appear that you cooked it on a pan in the oven, is that true?

  29. Posted June 14, 2011 at 4:20 PM | Permalink

    I have roasted tomatoes, but never at this low of a heat or for this long. What a wonderful way to bring out more flavor while we wait for the sun to do its work.

  30. Posted June 15, 2011 at 7:42 AM | Permalink

    Oh my, you’ve moutered my mouth. Yummy!

  31. Posted June 15, 2011 at 9:52 AM | Permalink

    The first tomatoes I’ve had this season have been orange and yellow, but I’m just happy to see them back. For a tomato lover like myself, the doldrums of winter are the pits. How beautiful are your tomatoes?! Makes me want to roast a platter-ful right now.

  32. Art
    Posted June 15, 2011 at 10:02 AM | Permalink

    Looks amazing. Going to make this soon!

  33. Posted June 15, 2011 at 11:11 AM | Permalink

    I can’t get over how delicious this entire recipe looks and sounds! Basil mayo, that bacon is to die for and roasted tomatoes! Oh I’m drooling!!!

    <3 MuffinLovesBiscuit

  34. Posted June 15, 2011 at 8:37 PM | Permalink

    that looks delicious!!! will definitely make this!!

    love your blog btw! so many recipes i want to try!

    love, kelly

    http://www.paperdolltheory.com

  35. Posted June 16, 2011 at 3:52 AM | Permalink

    I love BLTs! Yours look so amazing, I can’t wait to make them!

  36. Posted June 16, 2011 at 1:28 PM | Permalink

    M – Yes, the bacon was cooked on a parchment lined sheet try in the oven at about 400* until crispy. I flip over the bacon about half-way through, once the first side is crisp. It takes longer this way but you get nice even cooking and they don’t crinkle up as much.

  37. Posted June 16, 2011 at 4:47 PM | Permalink

    Holy moly I have never seen anything so delectable looking! I can’t wait to try it! : )

  38. Posted June 16, 2011 at 10:12 PM | Permalink

    Your photos are absolutely gorgeous. I’m always hungry after cruising your blog!!! :)

  39. Posted June 17, 2011 at 3:06 AM | Permalink

    Yum, this sandwich really looks delicious. I can almost feel its texture, basil making love with mayo and tomatoes getting married with bacon. Yum, yum, yum. Or, as we say in Italy, gnam, gnam, gnam.

  40. Posted June 17, 2011 at 7:13 AM | Permalink

    Makes my mouth water! I love BLT and will have to give this a try. Here’s hoping for a hot summer and plentiful tomatoes where we can gorge on these beauties till the cows come home.

  41. Posted June 17, 2011 at 11:54 PM | Permalink

    This is BRILLIANT. Why have I not thought of this before?? Other than a fantastic recipe, I especially loved the first and second paragraph of this post. That red hot car sounds pretty darn amazing. *wink, wink*

  42. Posted June 18, 2011 at 3:18 PM | Permalink

    Love BLTs! This recipe sounds so easy. I like how the tomatoes can be refrigerated. Makes slow roasting so much more worth it.

    Thanks!
    -Andrew

    [recipe club]

  43. Posted June 22, 2011 at 8:56 AM | Permalink

    Beautiful shots, and yeah …. roasted tomatoes would go perfectly well in a BLT I think.

  44. Posted June 23, 2011 at 9:05 AM | Permalink

    I can’t get enough of slow roasted tomato recipes! Never boring, always motivating to give a new try. Your photos are absolutely mouthwatering!

  45. Posted June 23, 2011 at 12:25 PM | Permalink

    How come my blt’s don’t look like that? Those are making me hungry. Great photography by the way :)

  46. Posted June 23, 2011 at 12:50 PM | Permalink

    What a yummy sandwich. Can’t decide which looks like the best part of it the bacon or the tomatoes.

  47. Posted June 28, 2011 at 2:25 AM | Permalink

    These pictures are amazing!

  48. Posted June 28, 2011 at 5:34 AM | Permalink

    AMAZING! photos are so gorgeous.

  49. Posted June 28, 2011 at 9:37 AM | Permalink

    I never was a big BLT fan until I had it a local restaurant and they served it with a basil aioli (much like yours!). That made it *much* better. And I can tell you right now that those tomatoes are going to make it even better yet. I’m flagging this to share with my out of town family members next week!

  50. Posted June 29, 2011 at 1:23 AM | Permalink

    These tomatoes are roasted perfectly Ashley! My mission will be to make these mouth-watering tomatoes over the weekend! Thanks for sharing!! x

  51. Posted June 29, 2011 at 1:37 AM | Permalink

    gorgeous photos. absolutely amazing.

  52. Posted July 1, 2011 at 8:19 AM | Permalink

    Beautiful!

  53. Posted July 19, 2011 at 8:57 AM | Permalink

    I am anxiously awaiting my tomatoes’ ripening! It’s the best time of the year, as far as I’m concerned!

  54. Posted July 25, 2011 at 6:50 PM | Permalink

    oh my, oh my! this looks so good. I wish there was vegetarian bacon as good as the real thing but even without bacon this sandwich looks yummmy.

  55. Posted August 9, 2011 at 1:58 PM | Permalink

    One of the most beautiful BLTs ever! We’re counting down the days until the kitchen garden gives us enough heirloom tomatoes for BLT night. Thanks for the delicious inspiration. :)

  56. Posted October 13, 2011 at 12:54 PM | Permalink

    I would love to have that sandwich right now. So delicious. Amazing photos!

  57. Stacie
    Posted October 31, 2011 at 6:01 PM | Permalink

    I had some yucky grocery store tomatoes (not romas) and decided to roast them for BLTs. I didn’t have four hours so upped the temp and lessened the time–OMG. SO GOOD. I’m pretty sure I won’t be eating a single underripe tomato all winter. THANKS FOR THE RECIPE!

  58. Erica
    Posted March 9, 2012 at 3:02 PM | Permalink

    I’ve been seeing heirloom tomatoes in lots of colors – reds, oranges, yellows, nearly black!

  59. Posted March 9, 2012 at 4:31 PM | Permalink

    Hi there! I found you on Pinterest and I’m totally in love with this sandwich – it looks so delicious! :)

  60. Posted March 13, 2012 at 6:42 PM | Permalink

    Now I need to know what else to do with those tomatoes and how long they keep, because I intend to cook a LOT of them!

  61. Posted March 13, 2012 at 8:33 PM | Permalink

    KimC – In the fridge I’d say they would keep for at least one week. Happy slow-roasting!

  62. Leslie
    Posted July 1, 2012 at 2:14 PM | Permalink

    This was so delicious! I don’t usually like tomatoes and often order BL sandwiches only to get teased by friends and family, but these tomatoes were so delicious and made the perfect sandwich!

  63. Posted September 24, 2012 at 6:03 AM | Permalink

    Have you ever thought about publishing an e-book or guest authoring on other blogs?
    I have a blog based on the same information you discuss and would love to have you
    share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would appreciate
    your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e
    mail.

  64. Posted January 19, 2013 at 12:55 PM | Permalink

    looks so so good.

  65. Posted January 19, 2013 at 12:58 PM | Permalink

    I can’t wait to try this it looks scruptuous.

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