Summer Up Your Tomatoes With a Little Fun and Fry

Pick your favorite. Pick the juiciest. Just pick the best looking tomato to you. Green, red, and yellow tomatoes all fry just fine. Frying is a fun way to spice up a simple tomato salad. Don’t go for the usual this summer. Surprise your sweetie, special someone, or family with a heaping batch of friend green, red, or yellow tomatoes.

Gather at the Poway Farmer's Market: 

• 4-5 good size and sturdy tomatoes, your choice of color, sliced
• 1/2 carton of eggs, you’ll need four, beaten
• 1 lime, squeezed
• 1 bunch of green onions, diced

Ingredients From the Cabinet or Local Grocery Store: 

• 1 container of vegetable oil (24 ounce)
• 3/4 cup of flour
• 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons of milk
• 1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs
• A pinch of cayenne pepper
• A pinch of paprika
• 1 cup apple cider
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 3/4 cup butter milk
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons of your favorite BBQ sauce
• Kosher salt

Directions:

Before getting into the directions, I have to say this recipe—from The Neelys at the Food Network—is one of my favorites.

Fried Tomatoes: Pour your 24 ounces of vegetable oil in the sturdiest saute pan you have. Bring to heat with a small flame. You’ll know when it’s ready to fry by dribbling water along the top. If it bubbles, it’s ready. Wear an apron and use tongs. Season tomatoes on both sides with salt and pepper taste. In the first separate dish, beat your four eggs with milk. Mix flour with garlic powder in another dish. In a third separate dish, mix bread crumbs with spices. Drag or dredge the tomato slices through the egg wash, then through the flour mix, and lastly through the bread crumb mixture. Add slices to heated oil one to two at a time. Fry 2-3 minutes on each side and add to a plate lined with paper towels (to absorb excess oil). Serve warm.

Bonus Tip: Add oregano or Italian seasoning for an extra bite.

Buttermilk Dipping Sauce: Mix the cider, brown sugar, buttermilk, mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, lime juice, green onions, and salt and pepper to taste. Whisk with a fork for optimal texture.

Fried tomatoes and dipping sauce are an excellent meal, snack, or side-dish. Serve as a fun summer surprise instead of the usual.