During the summer in the South most people have more tomatoes than they know what to do with. Either you have a garden or know someone who has a garden, so there is usually an endless supply of tomatoes. Growing up my dad's garden produced so many tomatoes that it was not uncommon for us to have both sliced red tomatoes and fried green tomatoes in the same meal.
I can remember watching my mom fry green tomatoes. She would put just a couple spoonfuls of flour and corn meal in plastic bag. Then add the tomatoes and shake the bag. This method makes some pretty tasty tomatoes, but I prefer to make a wet batter. The wet batter just makes a much crispier crust. I also like to serve mine with a dipping sauce. This one is like the one served at the Alabama born fast food chain Guthrie's. The dipping sauce is not traditional, but it just so good. I could eat it on anything.
Fried Green Tomatoes
about 4 unripe green tomatoes
1 & 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
2 cups buttermilk
1 tsp seasoned salt
just a little black pepper
peanut oil, for frying
Slice the tomatoes into about 1/4 inch slices. Then in a bowl mix together the remaining ingredients to form the batter. In a heavy skillet heat about two inches of peanut oil to about 375 degrees. Dip the tomatoes into the batter. Then fry until golden brown on both sides. Drain on a paper towel lined plate. Then serve with Guthrie's sauce.
Guthrie's Sauce
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp seasoned salt
Mix together all the ingredients in a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours for the flavors to meld together. This sauce is not just great with fried green tomatoes, but also chicken fingers, seafood, and even as a salad dressing.
You might also be interested in Home-style Grillades and Cheese Grits, Sweet Balsamic Grilled Chicken, and Hoppin John.
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