BLTC

Saturday Lunch- the perfect excuse to rustle up everyone's favourite sandwich- the BLT. Here's my vegan take on the classic- with home made bread rolls and quick pickled cucumber for an extra zing! The perfect accompaniment for this beautiful sunny weather!

For the Bread Rolls

Ingredients
2 cups flour- I used whole wheat stone ground flour but any flour you fancy would work here
3/4 cups of water
2 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
2 tsp garlic salt
extra flour for dusting

Method
In a large bowl mix the yeast with 1/2 cup of water at room temperature. Leave for at least 2 minutes for the yeast to activate. You can ass a little sugar to help the process.
Add the flour, salt, and remaining water, if using a stand mixer, leave on 2 for 10-15 minutes until the mixture is combined and has a stretchy texture. If kneading by hand, you'll need to set aside 15-20 minutes for kneading to ensure the dough has enough gluten to rise successfully.
Form into 5 ball shapes, dust with a little flour, cover and leave to rise for 2-3 hrs until doubled in size.
Pre-heat the oven to 330F/ 170C and once ready, place the rolls on parchment/baking paper (dusted with flour to prevent the rolls sticking!)  in the middle and bake for 35-40 minutes.

For the sandwiches

Ingredients
6 pieces of veggie bacon-  I used Morningstar brand- but any brand will do, or you can make your own with seitan, carrots, or mushrooms!
3 tbsp vegan mayonnaise
2 tbsp BBQ sauce
2 scallions (spring onions) finely chopped
Lettuce leaves
1 large tomato, sliced
1/3 cucumber
1 1/2 tbsp malt vinegar
1/2 tsp salt

Method
While the rolls are cooling, thinly slice some cucumber, add to a bowl with 1 1/2 tbsp malt vinegar and 1/2 tsp salt, mix and set to one side.
Place a frying pan on medium to high heat, and place the slices vegetarian bacon evenly ensuring each piece is heated.  Cook the bacon until crispy, remove pan from heat.
Slice a tomato, some spring onions (scallions), and wash and dry a couple of lettuce leaves per bun.
To assemble the bun- slice the rolls in half widthways, on the bottom half of the bun, spread a little bbq sauce, add the lettuce, picked cucumber, spring onion, then bacon before topping with the tomato, then on the top half of the bun, spread a little mayonnaise.
Enjoy in the sunshine with some of your favourite people!