BLT with Attitude

BLT with Attitude is a magnificent brunch sandwich packed with juicy strips of steak, crisp lettuce, ripe tomato, golden mushrooms and a soft omelette. Everything is tucked into toasted bread for a hearty and satisfying meal. It is a generous family-friendly brunch that brings a little extra excitement to the traditional BLT.

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Total Time 35

Servings Portions

Ingredients

For the Sandwiches:

4 slices ciabatta slices farmhouse or bloomer bread
400 g sirloin steak
150 g mushrooms sliced
2 large tomatoes sliced
4 handfuls lettuce or rocket
1 small red onion thinly sliced
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tbsp vegetable oil
salt
freshly ground black pepper

For the Omelette:

Instructions

Preparing the Ingredients:

Start by preparing all the ingredients before cooking. Slice the steak into thin strips against the grain. Slice the mushrooms, tomatoes and red onion.
Wash and dry the lettuce thoroughly. Set everything aside so it is ready to assemble later.

Cooking the Steak:

Heat a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the vegetable oil and allow it to become hot.
1 tbsp vegetable oil
Add the steak strips and season with salt and black pepper. Cook for 2–4 minutes, turning regularly, until browned and cooked to your preferred level.
400 g sirloin steak, freshly ground black pepper, salt
Avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook the steak in batches if necessary.
Transfer the cooked steak to a plate and keep it warm.

Cooking the Mushrooms:

Return the frying pan to the heat. Add the sliced mushrooms to the juices left by the steak.
150 g mushrooms
Cook for 4–6 minutes, stirring occasionally. The mushrooms should become tender and nicely browned.
Season with a little salt and black pepper. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Making the Omelette:

Crack the eggs into a bowl. Add the milk and season with salt and black pepper.
4 large eggs, salt, freshly ground black pepper, 2 tbsp milk
Beat until everything is well combined.
Heat the butter in a small non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Pour in the egg mixture and allow it to cook gently.
1 tbsp butter
As the egg begins to set, push the cooked edges towards the centre. Allow the uncooked egg to run into the gaps.
Once the omelette has almost completely set, fold it gently and cook for another minute. Remove from the pan and cut into four portions.

Toasting the Bread:

Toast the bread until lightly golden and crisp around the edges.
4 slices ciabatta
Spread a little mayonnaise over one side of each slice. You can add more if you like your sandwiches particularly creamy.
2 tbsp mayonnaise

Build the BLT with Attitude:

Place a generous layer of lettuce onto each slice of toasted bread. Add the tomato and red onion.
2 large tomatoes, 1 small red onion, 4 handfuls lettuce
Next, divide the warm mushrooms between the sandwiches. Add a portion of omelette to each one.
Finally, pile the steak strips generously over the top.
Season with another little twist of black pepper if desired.

Serving:

Serve the sandwiches immediately while the steak, mushrooms and omelette remain warm.
For a substantial brunch, serve alongside crispy potatoes, homemade chips, grilled tomatoes or a simple dressed salad.

Equipment

Notes

Tips for a Great BLT with Attitude

Choose a tender steak: Sirloin works particularly well because it cooks quickly and remains wonderfully tender when sliced thinly.

Don't overcook the steak: Thin strips need very little cooking time. A hot pan will give them a lovely browned exterior while keeping the centre juicy.

Use sturdy bread: A good farmhouse loaf or bloomer makes an excellent base. It needs to support the generous filling without falling apart.

Keep the omelette thin: A thin omelette folds neatly into the sandwich and allows the steak and mushrooms to remain the stars.

Prepare everything first: This is particularly useful when cooking for a crowd. Have the salad and vegetables ready before you start cooking the hot ingredients.

Serve immediately: The contrast between the warm steak and omelette and the cool, crisp salad is one of the best things about this sandwich.

Serving Suggestions:

For a family brunch, I like to serve BLT with Attitude alongside a large bowl of crispy breakfast potatoes and a fresh fruit platter. Put the sandwiches on a large serving board and let everyone help themselves.

If you are feeding a particularly hungry crowd, simply multiply the ingredients. You can cook the steak and mushrooms in batches while keeping the cooked ingredients warm until everything is ready to assemble.

This is definitely a brunch where having a generous appetite helps!

Nutrition