BLT Sandwich and Cucumber Salad

For lunch today, we had Turkey Bacon Pesto BLT’s and Cucumber Salad.  Both are Eat Clean recipes.  The BLT Sandwich was good, but I’m not a fan of tomatoes, but it tasted healthy.  I would make it again.  The cucumber salad was so easy to make and tasted really good.   Even my husband liked it.  When you get a thumbs up from the husband, you know it’s good.

TURKEY BACON PESTO BLT’s

Serves 4

Pesto
3 TBSP chopped basil
2 cloves chopped garlic
2 TBSP extra-virgin olive oil
2 TBSP freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 TBSP pine nuts
Using a food processor, chop all ingredients until smooth. Makes about 1/4 cup of pesto.

Pesto Faux Mayo
2 tsp pesto (from above)
1/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt
Whisk together pesto and yogurt. Set aside.

BLT
4 slices turkey bacon
4 slices whole-grain bread
8 leaves of lettuce
2 Roma tomatoes, each sliced length-wise into 4 pieces
1 large avocado, thinly sliced and divided into 4 portions (optional)

Over medium heat, cook bacon slowly, turning when brown on one side. Cook for about 5 minutes. Place on paper towels to drain excess oil (there shouldn’t be much). Cut bacon in half.

Toast bread.

To assemble sandwiches, spread 1.5 tsp of Pesto Faux Mayo on each slice of bread. Add to each slice 2 lettuce leaves, 2 slices of tomato, 1/4 of avocado (slices), and then 2 bacon pieces. Top each sandwich with 1/2 tsp of Pesto Faux Mayo.

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CUCUMBER SALAD

Serves 6

1 English cucumber (or two) washed, unpeeled, and thinly sliced
1/2 cup ice cubes
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/2 tsp sea salt

Into a decorative ceramic or glass serving bowl, measure the vinegar and sea salt. Stir well. Add sliced cucumber and toss so the vinegar mixture coats the cucumber.

Place the ice cubes on top of the cucumber and let sit until ready to serve. Otherwise, place in the refrigerator, covered, until ready to serve.