Fried

Yes, I am fried. I just got back from the World Food Championships in Las Vegas where Lori and I competed in the dessert category. We didn't make the top ten, but made what I'd call a pretty good score (details to come later). I will be posting my WFC desserts in another post, but here I am tonight still on Pacific time and just had to share last nights' culinary experiment- Fried Green Tomatoes. I've been wanting to make these for years, but up north you can't find green maters in the market. So you have to befriend a gardener, which I did. Thanks Deb for sharing some of your crop with me. This is a super simple recipe adapted from one of the best southern cooks I know- Diane Smith. Thank you Diane, it seems that every recipe of yours is a winner.

Fried Green Tomatoes

4 medium green tomatoes sliced 1/4 inch
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1-1/2 cups low fat buttermilk
1 cup AP flour
1/2 cup fine yellow corn meal
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp (or more) Old Bay Seasoning
1/4 tsp black pepper
Canola oil for frying

Slice tomatoes and sprinkle with kosher salt.

Place them in a colander for about 30 minutes to let the juices run out. While this is happening, prepare your flour/breading mixture. Combine flour, Old Bay, baking powder, corn meal, salt and black pepper. Whisk until incorporated.

When tomatoes are relieved of most of their liquid, pat them dry with paper towels and give them a bath in the buttermilk. Now dredge them a few times in the flour mixture. Coat those babies well. Heat oil in a large skillet on medium high and get ready to fry. As Diane says, "do not crowd the pan". Cook in small batches- which I did.

Cook a few minutes on each side. Remove to paper towels to drain some of the oil. Serve as a side dish with anything you are making for dinner. Then wrap up the leftovers and take them to work with you the next day as a snack. And if you're a dipper like me, whip up a concoction of sour cream, mayo and horseradish. You won't be disappointed.  Just hoping I don't have to wait until next year's harvest to enjoy fried green tomatoes again. They were sooo good!