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Summertime is made for picnics. And picnics are made for romance. That’s why I created this easy picnic sandwich recipe, which captures both the essence of summer and the sexiest of flavors in every bite.

Can something as practical as a sandwich be sexy? Well, I created this recipe specifically for an aphrodisiac cookbook. With the acidic burst of vine-ripened tomato, the creaminess of aphrodisiac avocado and the crisp crunch of salty bacon, these sandwiches captivate the senses with their many sensual pleasures.

The original recipe was for a vegetarian sandwich. I added the bacon later after researching the aphrodisiac effects of this irresistible protein. I encourage you to try the version in my award-winning aphrodisiac cookbook, Romancing the Stove.

Table of Contents

Tips for the best sandwich ingredients

Because these sandwiches are simple, the recipe relies on using the best ingredients available.

As the first tomatoes of the year appear, snatch them up to make these picnic aphrodisiacs. But be patient. These sandwiches should always be made with in-season, vine-ripened fruit. The wait will be worth it when you bite into the crunchy, juicy, creamy center of these summery sandwiches.

As for the bacon, you must cook it until it is crisp. Do not get tired of waiting for it to crisp up and stop the cooking as soon as the edges start to crisp. You want a completely crispy slice of bacon to contrast with the textures of the tomato and avocado. You can use turkey bacon, but I prefer pork.

By the way, did you know that bacon just might be an aphrodisiac?

As for the other ingredients, make sure that your avocado (also an aphrodisiac) is ripe before you slice it or it will be impossible to mash. I’ve suggested optional ingredients of thinly sliced radishes and butter lettuce but you can omit either or both depending on personal taste.

But the one ingredient you cannot skip is the butter. You may never have had a BLAT with butter. And if you haven’t you’re totally missing out. The butter is what keeps the tomato’s juices from running into the bread and making it soggy. This is a key step to keeping your sandwiches fresh until you’ve reached your picnic destination.

Can you make this a vegetarian picnic sandwich?

As I mentioned earlier, this recipe is a variation on the vegetarian Garden Tomato & Avocado Picnic Sandwiches in Romancing the Stove. It’s easy to adapt this recipe for vegetarian or vegan picnic sandwiches.

To make vegan sandwiches, use your favorite non-dairy butter substitute. (Remember, you cannot skip the step of buttering the bread!) Omit the bacon and add an extra pinch of salt to make up for the intensely salty flavor of the bacon.

Wrapping and storing your sandwiches

For the best presentation on your romantic picnic, wrap your sandwiches in wax paper or butcher paper and wrap with baker’s twine. (Bonus points if you can find red twine!) Store the sandwiches in your cooler until serving. These sandwiches should be prepared and eaten the same day.

What else will you take on your picnic?

If you need more inspiration for your romantic picnic, check out my guide to Wines for a Romantic Picnic.
And if you need more recipes, including additional picnic sandwich recipes, don’t miss our feature on the Top 5 Recipe for a Picnic Date.

closeup of Picnic Sandwiches with tomato, avocado, bacon and butter lettuce

Bacon, Tomato and Avocado Picnic Sandwiches

Print Recipe

Course Lunch, Snack

Cuisine American

Dish Type sandwich

Cooking Style Easy, fast

Diet and Health healthy-ish

Seasonal summer

Ingredient Bacon

Servings

Author Amy Reiley

Ingredients

4 slices whole-grain bread
1-1 1/2 tsp whipped or softened butter substite with your favorite vegan butter substitute
10 slices garden tomato (about 1 medium tomato)
1/2 avocado
4 slices smoky bacon extra crisp
4 breakfast radishes thinly sliced (optional)
2-4 leaves butter lettuce (optional)
to taste salt and black pepper

Romantic Picnic Sandwiches Recipe with Bacon, Tomato & Avocado 1

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Thinly spread 2 slices of bread with the butter. (Use just enough butter to cover the slice.)
Top each buttered slice with tomato slices.
Sprinkle the tomato with salt and pepper to taste then add the (optional) radish slices and 2 strips of bacon to each.
Remove skin from the avocado and mash to a chunky paste.
Spread half the avocacdo on each of the 2 remaining bread slices.
Form sandwiches, cut in half and either serve immediately or pack up for a picnic. (Sandwiches will last for about 4 hours.)

Want more of my aphrodisiac recipes? Check out Romancing the Stove: the unabridged guide to aphrodisiac foods.

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Amy Reiley

Eat Something Sexy's Creator & Editor-in-Chief Amy Reiley is the award-winning author of five aphrodisiac cookbooks. She has her Master of Arts in Gastronomy, awarded by Le Cordon Bleu and The University of Adelaide. She is also a Certified Nutrition Coach awarded by the International Sports Sciences Association and she is a California Certified Massage Therapist.

Amy is considered a leading authority on aphrodisiacs. Her work in aphrodisiacs is quoted in publications including National Geographic, The New York Times, Epicurious, Wine Enthusiast, Health and Playboy magazines. She speaks internationally on aphrodisiac foods and has brought her knowledge of aphrodisiac history and science to national television shows including The Today Show and CBS Early Show. She is a frequent guest on relationship and lifestyle radio and podcast shows and has been interviewed by BBC and NPR radio, Cosmopolitan radio and popular podcasts including My Dad Wrote a Porno.

Amy is also a freelance food, wine and health researcher and writer as well as a wine competition judge. Her work has appeared in publications ranging from Variety to The Daily Meal. She is an MSN content provider. And she is also a former wine editor for Gayot.com and wine & spirits editor of Las Vegas magazine.

Fun fact: Amy was the creator of the first ever comprehensive food and wine apps, Amy Reiley's Pocket Gourmet and Amy Reiley's Pocket Vineyard for Palm.

Romantic Picnic Sandwiches Recipe with Bacon, Tomato & Avocado