Asian BLT Buns With Chile Mayonnaise

• 1 pound thick-cut bacon
• 1/4 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
• 3 tomatoes, sliced 1/2 inch thick
• 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 to 3 teaspoons Sriracha (Asian chile sauce)
• 1 cup small watercress sprigs
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• Splash of rice wine vinegar
• 1/8 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• Kosher salt
• 10 Chinese steamed buns or hamburger buns
• 1 Persian cucumber, thinly sliced

1. Working in batches, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp; drain on paper towels.
2. Sprinkle the bacon with the five-spice powder, then break the slices in half.
3. Preheat the broiler.
4. Place the tomato slices on a baking sheet and brush with half of the hoisin sauce.
5. Broil until bubbling, about 3 minutes, then turn; brush with the remaining hoisin sauce and broil 3 more minutes.
6. Combine the mayonnaise and Sriracha in a small bowl.
7. Toss the watercress and cilantro in a medium bowl with the vinegar, sesame oil and a pinch of salt.
8. Dampen 2 paper towels and squeeze out the excess water.
9. Wrap the Chinese buns loosely in the paper towels, then place in a large microwave-safe bowl; cover with plastic wrap and microwave in 30-second intervals until hot and soft.
10. (Alternatively, steam in a steamer basket set over boiling water, 5 minutes.)
11. If using hamburger buns, do not steam.
12. Spread the inside of the buns with some of the chile mayonnaise.
13. Fill the buns with a few slices each of cucumber, bacon and tomato, and some of the watercress mixture.
14. Photograph by Jonathan Kantor

bacon, chinese fivespice, tomatoes, hoisin sauce, mayonnaise, sriracha, watercress sprigs, fresh cilantro, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, kosher salt, buns, cucumber

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/asian-blt-buns-with-chile-mayonnaise-recipe.html (may not work)