Cheddar-Cornmeal Waffle BLT

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Servings:
5

One bite, and you'll recognize this sandwich as a new version of an old favorite. It's a BLT, with bacon, lettuce, and sauteed green tomatoes between waffles made with cornmeal and sharp cheddar.

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces bacon

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 ½ cups yellow cornmeal

  • 2 tablespoons baking powder

  • 2 teaspoons salt, plus more for tomatoes

  • 3 tablespoons sugar

  • 4 large eggs, separated

  • 2 cups milk

  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted, plus 1 to 2 tablespoons for tomatoes

  • 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated

  • 1 ¼ pounds green tomatoes, sliced into ½-inch-thick rounds

  • Freshly ground pepper

  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, or to taste

  • 1 small head red-leaf lettuce

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cook the bacon on a rimmed baking sheet, until browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Set aside on paper towels.

  2. Heat waffle iron. Reduce oven heat to 200 degrees. Into a large bowl, sift together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and sugar.

  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks, milk, and melted butter. Add the liquid ingredients to the dry mixture, and stir until combined. Stir in the grated cheese.

  4. In a medium bowl, beat egg whites until stiff but not dry. Fold into the batter.

  5. Ladle about 1/3 cup batter onto each section of the waffle grid; spread batter almost to the edges. Close lid; bake 3 to 5 minutes. until no steam emerges from waffle iron.

  6. Transfer cooked waffles to a baking sheet; place in an oven set to low heat, about 200 degrees, while using remaining batter.

  7. Slice the tomatoes to a 1/2-inch thickness. Heat remaining butter in a medium skillet on medium high. Season tomato slices with salt and pepper; saute until lightly browned on the edges, about 1 1/2 minutes on each side. Set aside.

  8. Spread waffles with mayonnaise, then layer half the waffles with the bacon, tomatoes, and lettuce. Sandwich together, and serve.

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