Fried green tomatoes are a delicious southern dish and rightfully bring a smile to the face of anyone who has ever been lucky enough to taste this amazing taste. Follow these simple guidelines to make the classic grilled green tomatoes as well as beer-based tomatoes.
Composition
Basic recipe
- 4 green (unripe) tomatoes
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- vegetable or rapeseed oil
- 1/2 corn flour
Beer-based grilled green tomatoes
- 4 green tomatoes, washed
- frying oil (vegetable or rapeseed)
- 1 egg
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 200 ml dark beer
- salt
- pepper
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Method One: Classic Fried Green Tomatoes
Step 1. Choose suitable tomatoes
Tomatoes are medium-sized and slightly soft. If you are picking from your own green tomatoes, try picking ones with a slight pinkish tinge. These are the best tomatoes for frying as they are less bitter than fully green tomatoes and taste like a red tomato.
Step 2. Heat a medium skillet
A cast iron skillet works best for this recipe, but you can also use any skillet that is on hand. Add ¼ - ½ inch vegetable oil to the skillet. Do not use more than the specified amount of oil.
If you want to enhance the flavor, add three tablespoons of fat to the butter and stir until smooth. The fat will give the tomatoes a flavorful flavor
Step 3. Wash the green tomatoes in cold water
Make sure the surface of the tomato is free of dirt or debris. Wipe them dry with a paper towel and place them on a cutting board. Dried tomatoes are easier to chop.
Step 4. Slice the green tomatoes into rings
Tomato rings should be 1/4 inch thick. This thickness is the most ideal for frying.
If you are worried that the tomatoes are a little bitter (this might be the case with very green tomatoes), add a little sugar on each side of the tomato. Sugar will reduce the bitterness
Step 5. Make the mixture you will use to dip the tomatoes in
There are many different recipes that you can use. The most common is to combine ½ cup buttermilk with one egg. Whisk the two ingredients together.
If you don't have buttermilk, you can beat three eggs together. If you want to add a creamy flavor, add some milk
Step 6. Prepare the tomato breading
Again, there are several options that you can use for this part of the recipe. The most common is the use of cornmeal - 0.5 cups. Mix ¼ cup flour with ½ cup cornmeal. Add one teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of pepper. Stir all the ingredients and bread the tomatoes in this mixture.
If you don't have cornmeal, you can use breadcrumbs (Italian and ground pepper spices will add a delicious flavor to the breading). Alternatively, you can grind the crackers (the Ritz works well for this) and place them in a bowl. This will give the tomatoes an amazing crunch
Step 7. Pour ¼ cup flour into a bowl
Dip the tomato rings in flour so that the flour covers both sides of the tomato evenly. After that, place the tomato rings in the egg and buttermilk mixture, making sure they are completely covered in the mixture. Then dip them in the cornmeal mixture (or whatever crunchy mixture you choose to use). Make sure your tomatoes are well coated on all sides.
Step 8. Fry the tomatoes
Place the tomatoes in hot oil. Make sure that each tomato ring has enough space, otherwise they may clump together during frying. Fry them for three minutes on each side. When the tomatoes turn golden brown, they are ready.
Step 9. Remove the tomatoes from the pan when they are golden brown
Use tongs to line each tomato. Place them on a plate that has been covered with a paper towel. The paper towel will absorb the fat that drips off the tomato, giving the tomato a crispy taste.
Step 10. Serve the tomatoes with salt and pepper and enjoy this dish
You can also serve this delicious fried treat with a sauce.
Method 2 of 2: Method Two: Beer-Based Grilled Green Tomatoes
Step 1. Take four firm, medium-sized green tomatoes
They should be the same as those used for the classic fried tomatoes. Cut the tomatoes into rings of equal thickness. If you cut them into three or four pieces, this is just what you need.
Step 2. Prepare the tomato dough
In a large bowl, combine one glass of flour, one tablespoon of cornstarch, and ¼ teaspoon of baking powder. You can also add any spices you like, as well as salt and pepper. Add half a can of dark beer and half a glass of cold water to the dry mixture. Stir all ingredients together.
Dark beers such as lager or ale work better, but if you have a different type of beer, you can use it
Step 3. Heat oil in a skillet
You should add about ½ inch of oil to the skillet. You can use either vegetable or rapeseed oil. Make sure the oil is hot, you can check this by putting a drop of dough in the oil. If it sizzles and bubbles immediately appear, the oil is hot enough.
Step 4. Dip each ring into the dough
Make sure both sides of the tomato are evenly covered with dough.
Step 5. Fry the tomatoes
You need to carefully place them in the pan so that the dough remains on both sides. Fry the tomatoes for about three minutes, until they are golden brown.
Step 6. Remove the tomatoes from the pan when they are golden brown
Use tongs to line each tomato. Place them on a plate that has been covered with a paper towel. The paper towel will absorb the fat that drips off the tomato, giving the tomato a crispy taste.
Step 7. The dish is ready to serve
You can also serve this delicious fried treat with a sauce.
Advice
- Instead of green tomatoes, you can try other vegetables such as ripe tomatoes, zucchini, or pickled cucumbers.
- Be careful when slicing tomatoes, as green tomatoes are harder than ripe ones.