300 Sandwiches The Secret To Boyfriend's Heart?

By NPR Staff / NPR

Published October 1, 2013 at 6:23 AM PDT

This story was published more than 10 years ago.

"Weekend Productivity" Mozzarella and Homemade Pesto BLT

What's it take to get a guy to put a ring on it? 300 sandwiches might just be the ticket for New York Post reporter Stephanie Smith's boyfriend.

It all started after one particularly tasty turkey sandwich she made for her boyfriend. So good was said sandwich that it prompted him to say - "You're, like, 300 sandwiches away from an engagement ring."

So Stephanie got cookin and shared her journey of food and love through her blog, 300sandwiches.com, which features a daily gourmet sandwich recipe.

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Since then, she's sparked a lot of controversy from people who are calling this a chauvinistic exercise and say she's ruining feminism and love.

Guest host Celeste Headlee spoke with Stephanie about her blog and the criticism she's been receiving.

Interview Highlights

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Sandwich #130 - "Weekend Productivity" Mozzarella and Homemade Pesto BLT

2 buns or baguettes, cut into sandwich sized pieces (about 5" long)

2 cups fresh basil

1/3 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese

2/3 cup olive oil

1/4 cup pine nuts

salt and pepper to taste

2 cloves garlic

1 squeeze lemon wedge

1/2 ball mozzarella, sliced

1/2 tomato, sliced

5-6 strips bacon

1 bunch arugula

2 more tablespoons olive oil (to dress arugula)

Make the pesto: in a food processor, combine basil, pine nuts, garlic, cheese, salt and pepper. Slowly add the olive oil as you blend the ingredients on medium speed in processor. Add juice from squeeze of lemon wedge and give pesto one last pulse to make sure lemon juice is evenly blended.

Fry bacon to desired crispness in a non-stick skillet on medium low heat. Remove from heat and drain grease from bacon on paper towel-lined plate. Toast baguette. Remove from heat and lay out on cutting board or plate. Dress arugula in a tablespoon of olive oil and salt and pepper.

Slather on pesto, then layer on arugula, tomato, then mozzarella, then a leaf or two of basil, then bacon. Top with a small dollop of pesto, then top with other slice of bread. Smush gently and serve. Makes two 5" BLTs.