Who doesn’t love a BLT? My guess would be people who don’t like tomatoes. But for the rest of us a jacked-up BLT with turkey is a great sandwich. I make a club sandwich at least once a week in the summer with my home-grown tomatoes. To me, that’s one of the pleasures of summer.
The classic double-decker Club uses 3 slices of bread, but I forgo the extra carbs and make it with just 2 slices. It’s also easier to eat – you don’t have to unhinge your jaw to take a bite! There are variations on what goes into a club so those options are given here.
Before we get to the recipe let’s talk turkey about the turkey which is all important to a good Club. Most people don’t have real turkey unless it’s after Thanksgiving. Deli turkey is generally bad - it has almost no flavor. I have found a deli turkey that stands out above the rest I have tried, but it is a Kroger Deli product which you might not have in your area. It’s their Private Select Oven Roasted Turkey Breast. For deli meat it’s pretty good, but not like real turkey. You have other options. You can use chicken breast from a leftover baked chicken or slice the meat off a fried chicken breast or use fried chicken tenders. These are a better solution to deli turkey. You can always buy a turkey breast and bake it and have it for sandwiches. Freeze portions for future use. You could also buy a roasted chicken at the market for a dinner and use leftovers for a Club. You could also fry a thin chicken cutlet and use that. Real chicken is generally better than deli turkey.
- You will need 2 pieces of white bread toasted. (If you want the classic version use 3 slices.) Try to use a firm bread, not plain super-soft white bread which has a tendency to fall apart. I use an English Toasting bread. It’s perfect for this sandwich.
- 3 or 4 slices of fried bacon – enough to cover the toast. If your bacon is thin you may need at least 4 strips.
- enough thinly sliced turkey (or chicken) to create a nice layer
- 3 or 4 slices of tomato (chill the tomato a bit in the fridge if you have time)
- lettuce leaves
- mayonnaise
- (option) you will see cheese on some Clubs, usually a slice of American, but I like to add Swiss.
- (option) I have seen deli ham on a club as well which seems redundant if you use bacon. A good ham or country ham might be a substitute for the bacon if watching your calories and nitrates.
Assembly:
- Spread some mayo on the piece of toast for the bottom of the sandwich.
- Add the bacon (or ham), then the turkey, then tomato, (then the cheese), then lettuce. (If you want the classic Club insert the other piece of toast between the turkey and tomato layers.)
- Spread some mayo on the top slice of toast as place on top.
- Place toothpicks about an inch from the crust at 12, 3, 6 and 9 like on a clock and push them through to the bottom of the sandwich.
- Hold the sandwich down with your fingers and using a sharp serrated knife, cut from corner to corner. You will have the 4 classic wedges of a Club Sandwich.
Pickles and chips are the traditional sides, but you can have whatever you like. Soup, a salad, Tater Tots …
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