Fried green tomatoes are a classic Southern dish that’s crispy on the outside and tangy on the inside. Here’s a simple recipe for you:
Ingredients:
- 4 large green tomatoes
- Salt
- Black pepper
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup buttermilk (or milk)
- 1 large egg
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil works well)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Tomatoes:
- Wash and dry the tomatoes.
- Slice them into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick slices.
- Lay the slices on a tray or plate and sprinkle both sides with salt. This helps to draw out excess moisture. Let them sit for about 10-15 minutes.
- Prepare the Coatings:
- In one shallow bowl, place the flour.
- In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk (or milk) and egg.
- In a third bowl, place the cornmeal.
- Dredging the Tomatoes:
- Pat the tomato slices dry with paper towels to remove the moisture drawn out by the salt.
- Dredge each slice in the flour, shaking off any excess.
- Dip the floured tomato slice into the buttermilk-egg mixture, coating it well.
- Finally, coat the slice in the cornmeal, pressing lightly to ensure it adheres.
- Frying:
- In a large skillet, heat about 1/2 inch of oil over medium heat until hot but not smoking.
- Fry the tomato slices in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer the fried tomatoes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
- Serving:
- Serve the fried green tomatoes hot, optionally with a dipping sauce like remoulade, ranch dressing, or a spicy aioli.
Enjoy your crispy, tangy fried green tomatoes!