Foraging for BLTs

Foraging for BLTs. Garden-to-Table BLTs: Foraging Lunch at Urban Ecology Center.

This is a special edition of Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders. We are on location at the Urban Ecology Center @ Washington Park here in Milwaukee. I am joined by Jen Hense, Executive Director of Urban Ecology Center. (urbanecologycenter.org)

We are going to talk a little about the Urban Ecology Center. Then, we will take a tour of the grounds, including a very spacious community garden.

We will forage for some fresh produce. After that, we will head to the kitchen and make something tasty. Then, of course, we will eat whatever we prepare.

You can also listen to the podcast version of this interview and cooking episode –

A BLT with fresh-picked tomatoes is one of those simple pleasures that captures the very essence of summer. Building a sandwich that celebrates a perfect tomato is a unique experience. The tomato is still warm from the sun. Its skin is taut and glossy. The flesh bursts with sweetness and acidity.

Here’s what makes it special:

Foraging for BLTs 🍅 The Tomato

Picking the tomato yourself makes it the star of the sandwich. This is true whether it’s from your garden, a farmer’s market, or a roadside stand. Fresh tomatoes are juicy and aromatic, with a depth of flavor that supermarket ones rarely match. A thick slice or two of heirloom or beefsteak tomato provides a soft, luscious texture. It soaks slightly into the bread but still holds its shape.

🥓 The Bacon

Crisp bacon provides the salty, smoky crunch that balances the tomato’s sweetness. It adds depth and a satisfying bite to each mouthful. You can use classic pork bacon or try thick-cut, peppered, or even candied bacon for a twist.

🍞 The Bread – Foraging for BLTs

Toasted sourdough, white, or whole-grain bread gives structure and texture. Toasting keeps it from getting soggy and adds a nutty aroma. A light brush of butter before toasting can make it even more indulgent.

🥬 The Lettuce

Crisp romaine, iceberg, or leafy green lettuce adds freshness and crunch. It’s the cool, crisp contrast that makes the sandwich feel light and whole.

Foraging for BLTs 🥪 The Finish

A generous swipe of mayonnaise ties everything together. The creamy tang brings out the tomato’s brightness and softens the bacon’s edge. Some prefer to add a pinch of salt to the tomato slices. Adding cracked black pepper can really make the flavors sing.

Why BLTs are magical:

It’s the contrast. The warmth of the toast combines with the cool lettuce. The smoky bacon adds another layer. The juicy burst of just-picked tomato finishes creating this effect. That makes the BLT feel like a small, perfect moment of seasonal joy. When the tomatoes are that good, it’s not just a sandwich—it’s a celebration of summer itself.

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If you like this recipe, Foraging for BLTs, you will also enjoy trying another one. It is our recipe for Arroz Con Pollo.

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Foraging for BLTs,