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Fried green tomatoes are one of those foods you have to try at least once. Beloved in the Southern part of the United States, this simple but satisfying fried vegetable dish is a spectacular way to use up tomatoes that aren't quite salad ready. They are incredibly easy to make and make for a spectacular appetizer and can even be tucked into a sandwich or burger for extra flavor.
Fun Facts About Fried Green Tomatoes
For the past century, fried green tomatoes have been considered a staple dish of the American South. These crispy fritters were made popular by a novel and film of the same name back in 1990s.
The truth is that fried green tomato recipes first cropped up in Northeastern and Midwestern cookbooks in the United States in the 1870s, according to Bon Appétit.
Tips For Making Fried Green Tomatoes
The secret to making the crispiest fried green tomatoes is to dip them in flour, then eggs, followed by a cornmeal topping. The tomatoes will fry up beautifully and be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Be sure to select firm green tomatoes and slice them about 1/3 inch thick.
Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe
Here is a fried green tomatoes recipe that feeds four people:
3 medium to large green tomatoes, sliced
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 cup buttermilk or whole milk
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
Oil for frying
Preparation
1. Place the tomato slices over a rack and season with salt. Leave for 15 minutes so the excess water will come out. Then pat dry.
2. Combine the egg and buttermilk. Beat until well mixed.
3. Place the flour in a deep bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Place the cornmeal in another bowl. Then arrange the bowls in an assembly line: flour, eggs, cornmeal.
5. Bread the tomatoes and fry using the instructions below.
How To Fry Green Tomatoes
Shallow frying is the method of choice for making fried green tomatoes. Fill a heavy-bottomed skillet with about a 1/2 inch of oil and heat it up till 375F.
Once battered, place the green tomatoes in the oil. Fry for two minutes then flip and fry until golden on the other side. Drain on paper towels. Salt and serve immediately.
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Sauce for Fried Green Tomatoes
Fried green tomatoes are great as is. However, you may want to serve your fried green tomatoes with a side of sauce. Many combinations exist but a creamy horseradish sauce is a superb complement to this tomato dish.
To make a creamy horseradish sauce mix together: 1 cup of sour cream, 2 tbsp mayonnaise, 1tbsp horseradish, 1 tbsp mustard, season to taste with salt and peper.
Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe without Cornmeal
Cassava flour is an excellent substitute for cornmeal, as it will provide a nice crisp texture. This gluten-free and grain-free flour is readily available online, if you can't find it at your local supermarket. You can also use it to substitute the wheat flour called for in the recipe mentioned above.
