One note though is that this recipe would be better named BBT, as ideally basil is the main green on this sandwich (and the lettuce can become somewhat optional, though it’s great to use both if you have them). The only problem with BBT is that it used to be some regional savings and loan bank in NC, is probably is still in business somewhere. And naming a great sandwich after a bank just seems like some sort of cosmic bad manners.

(posted by Skip)

Roasted Jalapeno BLT’s with Basil:

Ingredients:

Bacon – Even when it’s bad, bacon is good, but I would buy something that will not taste floppy, rubbery or otherwise microwaved.

Lettuce – this is fairly easy, use what you like on a sandwich.

Basil – This in my opinion can completely sub out for the lettuce if you have enough. Otherise add it too.

Tomatoes – Not to be underestimated as the real honey in this sandwich. Again if possible, use good ones, ideally ones bought from a farmer as opposed to a kroger.

Jalapenos -

Fresh basil – you can use as much or as little as you have. The more the better, to go with the

Bread – Anything can work here, but if you can afford some kind of artisan bread (even whatever’s in the kroger bakery section — they usually carry La Brea, I think), it will really pay off.

1 – Roast Jalapenos – There are a couple ways to do this, though if you don’t have a lot of time, I usually roast them in a frying pan with a little olive oil. It’s best to do this with the pan covered, so as to prevent your whole family from crying and coughing for a half hour. The capsaicin in the peppers (when released during cooking) gets into the air and stays for a while. It’s especially nasty with water /steam. Oil will tame it some, but keep the pan covered nonetheless. Once the jalapenos have turned bright green in the pan, remove from heat and probably leave the lid on until they cool down.

2 – Cook Bacon. Do this however you usually cook it, however you like it best. Need instructions on how to cook bacon? Here is a pretty great (though unexpected way) to do it from America’s Test Kitchen. ** This below method works less when you are trying to cook a lot of bacon, as you have to do it multiple times.

3 – Cut tomatoes, wash lettuce etc.

4 – Finely chop the roasted jalapenos and for spreading onto bread (with mayonaise – if you like mayonaise)

5 – Toast the bread. Again lots of ways to do this, I usually spread some olive oil and a little kosher salt on the sliced bread and broil it in the oven (I only toast one side of the bread, but whatever you like here) . If we have fresh rosemary, or Herbes de Provence I’ll chop it and add it to the bread too.

6 – Assemble sandwiches: Spread the jalapenos with or without mayonaise on the bread. If you aren’t going to use mayonaise and the peppers look a little dry, you may want to add a very small amount of olive oil to the peppers (after chopping) to encourage them to “spead”. From here it’s pretty standard architecture for a BLT, only adding fresh basil to the leaves if available. Don’t be afraid to use a lot of tomatoes and/or bacon.

originally posted June 4, 09

Here is one of my favorite existing tributes to Earl Scruggs by the late John Hartford. Never has Gastonia NC had such a fine mention in popular music.

Earl Scruggs 1924 - 2012

I had the opportunity to play a dear friend’s birthday party this weekend, and on the drive down (Nashville to Atlanta and back), was reminded how much I loved this poem. I was also reminded how much of an influence it was on our last record, and how little we had ever mentioned it. This is from Robert Frost’s book of poems The Witness Tree (1942).

NEVER AGAIN WOULD BIRD’S SONG BE THE SAME

He would declare and could himself believe
That the birds there in all the garden round
From having heard the daylong voice of Eve
Had added to their own an oversound,
Her tone of meaning but without the words.
Admittedly an eloquence so soft
Could only have had an influence on birds
When call or laughter carried it aloft.
Be that as may be, she was in their song.
Moreover her voice upon their voices crossed
Had now persisted in the woods so long
That probably it never would be lost.
Never again would birds’ song be the same.
And to do that to birds was why she came.

still not sure who this 4th cup of coffee was for.

Timshel at work.

Either deciding ‘maybe this song really will work’ or ‘this song is gasping its last breath’

Getting vocals into “World Awaits Us All”

He was 30 in 1942. I always think with Woody he is smarter than he lets on. I also think this was meant for an audience, for what it’s worth. — (click on the picture for full image)

1. Work more and better
2. Work by a schedule
3. Wash teeth if any
4. Shave
5. Take bath
6. Eat good — fruit — vegetables — milk
7. Drink very scant if any
8. Write a song a day
9. Wear clean clothes — look good
10. Shine shoes
11. Change socks
12. Change bed cloths often
13. Read lots good books
14. Listen to radio a lot
15. Learn people better
16. Keep rancho clean
17. Dont get lonesome
18. Stay glad
19. Keep hoping machine running
20. Dream good
21. Bank all extra money
22. Save dough
23. Have company but dont waste time
24. Send Mary and kids money
25. Play and sing good
26. Dance better
27. Help win war — beat fascism
28. Love mama
29. Love papa
30. Love Pete
31. Love everybody
32. Make up your mind
33. Wake up and fight