Fried Green Tomatoes

Say what you will. Some things are just better fried. And tomatoes are one of them.

Ingredients:
2 Medium to large green tomatoes.
1 Cup of plain bread crumbs
2-3 Eggs scrambled together (if you have high cholesterol you can replace regular eggs with egg beaters or egg whites)
1 Tbsp dried basil
Olive oil for frying
Salt and pepper

Serves 2 as an entrée. Serves 4 as an appetizer.

Instructions:

1. Slice your tomatoes thick. Place them on a cutting board and sprinkle salt on top. You want them to release some of their water. Leave them for about 5-10 minutes and then dab them with paper towels to soak up the moisture. Flip the tomatoes and repeat.

2. Set up your eggs scrambled in a bowl next to your frying pan. Next to that, place your bread crumbs, basil, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper in a bowl and mix them up.

3. I’d recommend using a Teflon pan or one that has a good non-stick bottom. Pour enough oil into your frying pan to cover the surface. Turn your burner on to medium.

3. Slice by slice, place your tomatoes into the egg covering thoroughly, then to the bread crumbs covering thoroughly, and then into your pan. But first be sure your oil is hot before you place them in the pan.

4. Fry 1-2 minutes and then turn to low heat and cover with tin foil. Flip after a total cook time of about 4-5 minutes, repeating the same process.

5. Be sure that the tomatoes are not burning. If they start to, turn the temperature down.

Remember: every stove top is different, in order to produce golden fried tomatoes you have to stay close by and be sure you’re frying the tomatoes just the right amount.

If you have to cook the tomatoes in batches, you can leave them in the oven at 250 degrees.

Sauces:

I served the tomatoes with a honey goat cheese sauce. Just about 1 Tbsp of honey mixed with 1/3 cup goat cheese, 2 Tbsp sour cream and some fresh chives.

Another sauce that goes very well with fried green tomatoes is a light guacamole.

Tags: fried green tomatoes, honey goat cheese