The Ultimate BLT Recipe Using Farmers' Market Ingredients

Take your BLT’s to the next level by adding ingredients from the Downtown Farmers’ Market like fresh herbs, using different types of bread or adding an egg.

Start off your visit to The Market by deciding what kind of bread to use. Big Sky Bakery offers loaves if you like a traditional BLT. In this recipe we used jalapeño cheddar rolls (two for $3) and ciabatta rolls ($1 each) from Couer Bread. Then pick up a lettuce blend from Nomad Farm and Gardens for $5. Many of The Market vendors sell tomatoes, we purchased four from Thill’s Produce for $2. Buy basil from Youvang Herbs for $1 and get a package of bacon from Des Moines Bacon Company for $6.

When you’re ready to start cooking, preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Place a rack on top of a cookie sheet and lay out the bacon slices. Once the oven is preheated cook the bacon for 15 minutes.

While the bacon cooks, wash the lettuce and basil and wash and slice the tomatoes.

Slice the rolls and spread a layer of mayonnaise on them. Place them on a baking sheet.

Once the bacon is done turn the oven to broil on high and move the oven rack to the top. Broil the rolls for two minutes and then you’re ready to assemble your sandwiches.

Top the jalapeno cheddar rolls with lettuce, bacon and tomatoes (add some more jalapeños if you want more spice). On the ciabatta rolls put bacon, tomatoes and basil. Both sandwiches are also delicious if you add a fried egg.

Use the leftover tomatoes and lettuce topped with bacon crumbles for a BLT side salad and you’ve got a great summer meal.

Dish: BLT’s Two ways

Serves: 4

Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• Jalapeno cheddar rolls and ciabatta rolls from Couer Bread.

• Tomatoes from Thill’s Produce.

• Bacon from Des Moines Bacon Co.

• Lettuce from Nomad Farm and Gardens

• Basil from Youvang Herbs

Method:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

• Place a baking rack on a cookie sheet and put the bacon slices on it.

• Bake for 15 minutes.

• While the bacon is in the oven wash the lettuce and basil and wash and slice the tomatoes.

• Slice the rolls and spread mayonnaise on them. Place on a cookie sheet.

• Once the bacon is done set the oven to broil and move the oven rack to the top. Broil the rolls for two minutes.

• Assemble your sandwiches.

• Add lettuce, tomato, bacon (and extra jalapeños if you like more spice) to the jalapeno cheddar rolls.

• On the ciabatta rolls layer basil, tomatoes and bacon

From May to October, experience local artists, live music and entertainment at the Downtown Farmers’ Market featuring nearly 300 family farmers, bakers, artists and crafters from around the state. It’s easy to visit with plentiful and affordable street and ramp parking options.