BLT

also called BLT · bacon lettuce and tomato · bacon lettuce tomato sandwich · bacon sandwich

The table

4 sliceswhite sandwich breadtoast the four slices 2 minspread both inside facessalt the tomato, layer, cut once
3 Tbs(45 mL)mayonnaise
6 slicesthick-cut baconrender 10 min, from a cold pan
1 large(in 1/4-in slices)beefsteak tomato
4 leaves(cold and dry)iceberg lettuce
1/4 tspkosher salt
1/4 tspblack pepper
Tap anything to cross it off.

What to lay out

Everything the recipe asks for, sitting under the step that eats it. Tick each one as you measure it.8 things to get out.

Pans and tools

1toast the four slices 2 min

2render 10 min, from a cold pan

3spread both inside faces

goes in with what step 1 made

4salt the tomato, layer, cut once

goes in with what steps 2 and 3 made

Cooking it

Start to finish is the longest chain through the table, so branches that overlap are counted once. That is why the waits add up to more than the clock — and it only holds if you get them going together.

Tap a step when it is done; the next one lights up.

The clock

Start to finish
at least 10 mintwo waits that overlap count once
Needs you
12 minof the steps that give a time

2 of the 4 steps never say how long they take, so both numbers are floors. It adds up to more hands-on time than the whole dish takes because two branches run at once — which needs someone free to run both. The recipe itself says 20 min.

  1. render 10 min, from a cold pan

    10 minneeds youfrom the start

  2. toast the four slices 2 min

    2 minneeds youfrom the start

  3. spread both inside faces

    not timed2 min in

  4. salt the tomato, layer, cut once

    not timed10 min in

Drawn to scale, so a long wait really does take up the room it takes. The shortest stretches keep a sliver so they stay visible; their times are printed beside them. Bars that line up are happening at the same time.

You'll need skillet

See how it is written
>> title: BLT
>> category: Sandwiches & Rolls
>> tags: bacon, tomato, lettuce, sandwich, lunch
>> counters: Diner
>> aka: BLT, bacon lettuce and tomato, bacon lettuce tomato sandwich, bacon sandwich
>> servings: 2
>> time: 20 min
>> step.1: render 10 min, from a cold pan
>> step.2: toast the four slices 2 min
>> step.3: spread both inside faces
>> step.4: salt the tomato, layer, cut once

Fry @thick-cut bacon{6%slices} laid in a cold #skillet{} brought slowly to medium ~fry{10%min}, turning once. A cold start renders the fat out before the meat seizes, which is what gives flat crisp strips instead of curled ones with raw white seams.

Toast @white sandwich bread{4%slices} ~toast{2%min}, to firm rather than dark.

Spread @mayonnaise{3%Tbs}(45 mL) over both inside faces of @&(~1)toast{}. Both faces, not one: the mayonnaise is waterproofing as much as seasoning, and the tomato is about to sit on it.

Layer @&(~3)bacon{}, @beefsteak tomato{1%large}(in 1/4-in slices), @iceberg lettuce{4%leaves}(cold and dry), @kosher salt{1/4%tsp} and @black pepper{1/4%tsp} onto @&(~1)dressed toast{}, and cut it once on the diagonal. Salt the tomato slices on a plate and let them drip for a minute before they go on — an unsalted tomato tastes of nothing and a salted one that goes straight on floods the toast.