3504. TOMATO, BACON, AVOCADO with ARUGULA PESTO TEA SANDWICH

makes 16 finger sandwiches

8 slices of rustic bread
1 1/2 pounds of bacon (about 24 slices), cooked
1 ripe firm-ripe avocado
1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice
2 medium size tomatoes, halved and sliced thin
6 tablespoons (1/4 stick) of unsalted butter, room temperature
1 bunch or 1/4 cup of arugula, cleaned and trimmed
1/2 garlic clove
3 tablespoons of finely grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon of pine nuts
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook bacon in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, turning occasionally, until crisp. Using tongs, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. To make the pesto butter: Combine butter, arugula, garlic, Parmesan and pine nuts in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Process until blended. Set aside. Salt and pepper to taste. Halve, pit, and peel avocado, then slice lengthwise. Gently toss slices with lemon juice. Spread a thin layer of pesto across each slice of bread. Layer with tomato, bacon and avocado and top with a slice of bread with pesto. Cover with damp paper towels until ready to serve. Trim crusts off edges of sandwiches and cut into halves, quarters, or triangles.


bacon recipe source: Laura Klein, Organic Authority (@OrganicAuthorit), October 27, 2006