Fried Green Tomatoes

Fried Green Tomatoes are a delicious summer treat that is crispy, tart and juicy! It's very popular in the Southern part of the US and is a pretty well known dish to anyone who grows Tomatoes.  I usually make this at the end of summer when the Tomato plants that I grow are struggling to ripen the last of the Tomatoes on the vine. But, this year I didn't plant any Tomatoes as I've moved to a new place and haven't figured out where to put a little garden yet. But, I was at the Farmer's Market and I saw some big, beautiful Green Tomatoes and just had to make some!

This is a simple recipe that just happens to be Gluten Free. You cut the Green Tomatoes into slices, dip them in beaten Egg and then in a seasoned Cornmeal. I like to add Paul Prudhomme's Vegetable Magic, but you can get creative and add any Seasoned Salt or make your own combination, but be sure you add in some Paprika for color. You pan fry the slices in oil and that's it!  I like to serve them drizzled with homemade Ranch Dressing (previous post) but this should be done just before serving so they don't get soggy. Fried Green Tomatoes is a dish that's worth making anytime you have some Green Tomatoes available!

Fried Green Tomatoes

3 Large Green Tomatoes (or 4 Medium)

2 Eggs

1 cup Cornmeal

1/2 teaspoon Seasoned Salt (or mix together Salt and Paprika with a pinch of Onion Powder)

Oil

Mix together the Cornmeal and the Seasoned Salt in a bowl and then pour onto a plate. Then beat the eggs in the bowl and set aside.

Cut off a small thin slice on both ends of each Green Tomato and then cut them into 1/2 slices.  

Then dredge them on both sides in the Cornmeal Mixture and place on another plate. 

Put Oil into a frying pan up to about 1/2 inch and heat. When the oil starts to shimmer, add as many Green Tomatoes as you can without crowding and cook until brown on one side. Turn over carefully and brown the other side. Place on a paper towel covered plate and repeat until all the Green Tomatoes are fried. Put on a serving plate and serve with a drizzle of Ranch Dressing over the top of them.

Five Element Analysis

Tomatoes are considered a Fire Element food, but because these are green and a bit tart, they also cross over into the Wood Element. The Cornmeal adds the Earth Element and the Eggs bring in some of the Water Element. So this is a good dish to serve with a Metal Sauce, which is why I serve it with Ranch Dressing - a sauce made with Milk and Mayonnaise - both Metal foods to create balanced dish!