Tomatoes have been involved in a bit of a PR nightmare lately. First there was the tomato-salmonella scare, and then all fried foods, specifically fried green tomatoes, were banned at this year's Democratic National Convention. If you're not making it to the convention and want to indulge in fried green tomatoes today, try this recipe, which uses a cornmeal crust and has Cajun seasoning in the mix for additional Southern flare.
Fried green tomatoes are easy to veganize, and the results are actually better without an egg wash, which many people may think is necessary. With just a cornmeal coating, the result is much crunchier than what you get with extra, unnecessary ingredients. And if you are trying to achieve that perfect, golden, crispy coating, then you might want to listen to this advice from Wikipedia. I'm no Alton Brown, but the Wikipedia folks seem to make a pretty good case:
"The tomatoes are then pan fried in vegetable oil up to a depth slightly shallower than the thickness of the slices. This keeps the tomatoes from floating, allowing gravity to hold the cornmeal to the bottom side. Oil may be drizzled over the top to allow it to firm up also."
You can enjoy these on a sandwich, as I did, topped with anything from Vegenaise to tempeh bacon. Or try them on their own as a snack or meal.
Fried Green Tomatoes
3 small green tomatoes
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. Cajun seasoning
3 Tbsp. canola oil for frying
•Cut each tomato into 3 thick slices.
•In a medium bowl, combine the cornmeal, salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning.
•Dredge both sides of each tomato slice in the cornmeal mixture.
•Heat the oil in a large sauté pan and fry the tomato slices over medium-high heat until golden brown on both sides.
•Set aside on paper towels to drain.
Makes 2 to 4 servings
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Comments ( 9 )
I always enjoy the pictures that accompany your recipes, do you take them yourself?
Posted by Zane | July 1, 2008 8:11 PM
Posted on July 1, 2008 20:11
Looks tasty! But pre-made Cajun seasoning isn't readily available here in the UK -- do you have any suggestions for making up your own?
Posted by Laura Brown | July 2, 2008 3:06 AM
Posted on July 2, 2008 03:06
Zane,
Thanks! And yes, I do.
Laura,
Cajun seasoning is often made with a combination of paprika, cayenne, salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder. Here's one recipe: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cajun-Spice-Seasoning-Mix-in-a-Jar/Detail.aspx.
Hope that helps!
amy
Posted by Amy | July 2, 2008 9:15 AM
Posted on July 2, 2008 09:15
The sandwich sounded good up until you mentioned pairing it with tempeh bacon - and then it sounded great! Thanks for the recipe; I'm going to put it on my recipe to do list!
Posted by Jennifer | July 2, 2008 12:27 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 12:27
I'm sure this is a real naive question, but by green tomatos, do you mean that they are green because they have not rippened? Or is there a certain kind of tomato that is green?
Posted by Jaclyn | July 2, 2008 12:28 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 12:28
This sounds amazing! I might have to try it tonight. Thanks!
Posted by Lyn | July 2, 2008 3:28 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 15:28
Looks great, i'm sure i will try this out.. i hope it tastes good just like it looks good :)
Mary from - Cooking Recipe Videos
Posted by mary | July 2, 2008 4:04 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 16:04
These sound simply delicious! great to discover a fellow vegetarian blogger:)
Posted by Mansi | July 14, 2008 7:10 PM
Posted on July 14, 2008 19:10
I planted an organic tomato garden this year, and for a pot-luk party tonight, I decided to fry up a green one this morning with your recipe to see if that would work for something to bring. It was the most amazing thing I ever tasted! Thank you so much!
Posted by J. Teeple | August 30, 2008 1:19 PM
Posted on August 30, 2008 13:19