Fried Green Tomatoes
Fried green tomatoes wasn’t what I was intending on filming this week but my neighbor has the most amazing garden and asked if I wanted some green heirloom tomatoes and the word “yes' ' couldn't come out fast enough. He then asked what I was planning to do with them and I said - fried green tomatoes of course. He seemed like he didn’t know what he was missing because he didn’t know what that was but that his wife also mentioned wanting to make fried green tomatoes. So naturally this weeks kimchi grilled cheese will have to be a surprise for another moment.
I can't even remember the last time I was able to find green tomatoes. They’re usually eaten as an appetizer or as a snack side ? Sort of like fried pickles. Eating it in a sandwich with some remoulade and kale slaw is my favorite way. And what better way to celebrate tomato girl summer.
Fried Green Tomato Sammie
* 2 fried tomatoes will make one sandwich * Ingredients
8 slices - green heirloom tomatoes ( my tomatoes were quite small so I had to use 4 tomatoes to get enough slices )
Texas toast or any thick bread
Vegan butter
Coating
1/2 cup - flour
1/2 tsp - salt
Batter
1/2 cup - plant-based milk ( I used a plain almond milk)
1/4 cup - all purpose flour
1/2 tsp - salt
1 tsp - garlic powder
1/2 tsp - paprika
1/4 tsp - black pepper
Breading
1/2 cup - all purpose flour
1/4 cup - panko
1/2 tsp - salt
1 tsp - garlic powder
1/2 tbsp - chopped parsley ( can be dried or fresh )
1/2 tsp - paprika
1/4 tsp - black pepper
Remoulade
* Makes approximately 1 cup *1/2 cup - vegan mayo
1 tbsp - dijon mustard
1/2 tbsp - fresh lemon juice
1/2 tbsp - freshly chopped parsley
1/2 tbsp - tabasco
1/2 tbsp - minced garlic
1/2 tbsp - chopped capers
1 tsp - worcestershire
1/2 tsp - paprika
1/4 tsp - salt
Slaw
* Makes enough slaw for 4 sandwiches *4 cups - chopped kale
3 tbsp - chopped green onions
1/2 cup - chopped red cabbage
Instructions
Step 1 - Salt your tomatoes
Slice all your tomatoes and place them on a slotted tray or plate with paper towel and salt them to allow them to drain out some of their water before breading.
Step 2 - Breading
Build yourself a breading station with 3 bowls. A bowl for the coating mixture, the batter and breading. Lastly a plate or tray to place all your tomatoes after they have been breaded. A great trick to bread anything is to use one hand for the dry stuff and another for the batter. This makes trips to the sink a lot less frequent as getting your fingers all coated gets annoying.
Step 3 - Frying
An air fryer isn’t going to cut it. For something like this we gotta do the whole kitten caboodle. I recommend using a heavy gauge pot and temping your oil to ensure it 350 degrees Fahrenheit. I fried mine till golden brown, this took maybe 5 - 7 minutes. Then allow them to strain on a paper towel or a cookie rack.
Step 4 - Make the remoulade & Slaw
Wash and chop your kale and cabbage to make a slaw and massage in the remoulade.
Step 5 - Toast bread & Assembly
I found some vegan Texas toast at Sprouts and toasted them in a pan with vegan butter till golden brown. Spooned on some remoulade and placed a generous handful of slaw. Topped with two fried green tomatoes and squished it down with the second piece of bread that had more remolaude on it to help it stick together and also cause its very yummy that way. All that is left is to devour and enjoy this well deserved sandwich.
