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© Copyright 1995-2023, Clay Irving <clay@panix.com>, Manhattan Beach, CA USA
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Recipe from: NapaStyle
Servings: 4 sandwiches
You've probably figured it out already. A PLT is a BLT with pancetta in place of bacon. I've made a few other refinements, too. Instead of putting the bread in a toaster, I butter it and grill the sandwich on a griddle or in a cast-iron pan. And I weight the sandwich while I'm grilling it, which makes the bread brown better. Adding basil to the mayonnaise gives it an herbal lift, and romaine hearts contribute a fresh crunch. I love the contrast of crisp, hot, cool, and creamy in this sandwich.
¾ pound pancetta, sliced as thick as bacon
¼ cup chopped fresh basil
¼ cup mayonnaise
8 large slices country-style bread
unsalted butter, at room temperature
12 tomato slices
freshly ground black pepper
1 romaine lettuce heart, separated into leaves
Unroll the pancetta slices and cut into 4-inch lengths. Put the pancetta in a skillet and cook over moderate heat until it renders much of its fat and begins to crisp, about 10 minutes. Drain in a sieve. In a small bowl, stir the basil into the mayonnaise.
Butter one side of each bread slice, then put 4 slices, buttered side down, on a work surface. Top the bread slices with the pancetta, distributing it evenly. Top each with a second slice of bread, buttered side up.
Heat a cast-iron skillet or grill pan until hot. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and top with a weight, such as another skillet. Cook until nicely browned, 2 to 3 minutes, then turn the sandwiches and replace the weight. Cook until the second side is well browned, about 2 minutes.
Transfer the sandwiches to a work surface and remove the top slice of bread from each sandwich. Spread the underside of those slices with mayonnaise. Top the pancetta with the tomato slices, pepper to taste, and romaine leaves. Replace the top slice of bread, cut the sandwiches in half, and serve immediately.
Note:
You can assemble the sandwiches an hour or two before grilling them. Keep them stacked