The Californian Recipe
Avocado, bacon, grilled tomato, chipotle mayo, LTOP, and pepper jack cheese.
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Ingredients
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Sandwich
Chipotle Mayo
For cooking
Method
Chipotle Mayo
Make the sauce
In a small bowl combine 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon finely chopped chipotle pepper in adobo (adjust to heat preference), 1/2 teaspoon lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon honey (optional), 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Stir until smooth and chill while you prepare the sandwich to let flavors meld.
Sandwich
Prepare bacon
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the 3 bacon strips and cook until crisp, turning occasionally, 6–9 minutes depending on thickness. Transfer bacon to paper towel to drain and keep warm. Reserve about 1 teaspoon bacon fat in the pan (or wipe pan and use 1 teaspoon olive oil if you prefer).
Grill the tomato
Slice the 1/2 medium tomato into two 1/4-inch thick rounds. Lightly brush them with the 1 teaspoon oil and season with a pinch of salt and pepper (from the measured amounts). Place tomato slices in the hot skillet over medium-high and cook 1–2 minutes per side until grill marks form and tomato is slightly softened but still holds shape. Remove and set aside.
Toast the bread and melt cheese
Butter one side of each sourdough slice (or brush with oil). Place bread butter-side-down in the skillet over medium. Lay the slice of pepper jack cheese on one bread slice (top side) and cover pan with a lid for 30–60 seconds to help cheese melt while the bread toasts, 1–2 minutes total until golden and cheese is melted. Toast other slice to match. Remove both slices from pan.
Prepare avocado
Spoon 1/2 of a ripe avocado into a small bowl. Mash lightly with a fork to a spreadable consistency. Season with the remaining pinch of salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and mix.
Assemble
Spread about half of the chipotle mayo on the inside of each toasted bread slice. On the bottom slice (the one with melted cheese), spread the mashed avocado evenly. Layer the grilled tomato slices on top of the avocado. Add the crispy bacon strips, then the lettuce leaf, red onion slices, and pickles. Top with the other bread slice, mayo-side down.
Finish and serve
Press the sandwich gently, slice in half diagonally if desired, and serve immediately. Estimated texture: creamy avocado, smoky bacon, spicy-sweet chipotle mayo, melty pepper jack and a juicy grilled tomato bite in each mouthful.