Saturday, October 16, 2010

Fried Green Tomatoes

So as the end of the season is coming around my upside down tomato tomato planter has started to look a little sad.. there were only 5-6  green tomatoes hanging there and I realized that they were never going to change color.  I didn't even manage to grow enough tomatoes to make the Marinara Sauce that I was dreaming of... just enough for two little cups of Gazpacho and half a Tomato Sandwich.

So standing there looking at my slowly browning tomato vine I had could only think of one thing...

YES! Fried Green Tomatoes ROCK!

I had all but forgotten about this Southern classic until a couple of years ago I was working a catering event at a home in Lincoln Park (Chicago Neighborhood for those of you unfamiliar with the area).  We served Fried Green Roma Tomatoes with a Cajun Remoulade, (remoulade is a fancy-pants way to say mayo by the way).  I was wearing my second hand Tuxedo standing in the kitchen of this giant home in one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the city when I took a bite and was immediately transported to the kitchen table in the modest home I grew up in.  The flavors were the same... yes mom yours were as good as Trotter's... and I knew I had to make these again.

The Tomatoes
Green tomatoes sliced about 1/4 inch thick
Flour mix with 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 tsp of Chipotle Chili Powder
Egg wash with one egg and 1/4 cup Buttermilk
Breadcrumbs
Vegetable oil to fry in... about 1/4 of an inch in the bottom of a small skillet.

Heat the oil until it makes that metallic popping sound when you put a drop of water in it (careful not to splash when you do that).   Coat the tomato slices in the flour mixture, the egg was then the breadcrumbs.  Fry them 4 at a time until golden on both sides (3 minutes a side maybe).  When they are done put them on a paper towel lined plate to drain.

The Remolaude:
Embarrassingly simple
1/4 cup Mayo
1/2 tsp of jerk seasoning (I made some up a while ago for another recipe)

6 comments:

  1. Delicious! I did a fried green tomato post earlier this week. We had them plain but I like your sauce. Had them a few years ago as a side dish to ostrich--yummy!

    We have a considerable chill in the air today!!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  2. I love Fried Green Tomatoes...they remind me of my grandmother. I've yet to make them on my own, but that will need to change too! Thank you for all your kind words on my blog...they mean so much to me.

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  3. Aren't they wonderful? I love fried green tomatoes too.

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  4. I like the chili powder in your flour dip, Bryan...adds a little kick.
    My remoulade sauce is way more involved. Going to try yours next time.

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  5. Fried green tomatoes are so good! This year certainly hasn't been a good one for tomatoes, though, so there weren't that many green ones to go around either. Mine are all gone and everyone else seems to have some. They look great!

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  6. yummo! I love fried green tomatoes and love your story. Did you do the party with Trotter or were you a guest?
    SO bummed we never crossed paths when I lived in Chicago :(

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