Shelly's Recipe

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES WITH BUTTERMILK-LIME DRESSING

Category: Sides

3 lbs green tomatoes (about 6 to 8 medium)
3 large eggs, beaten
3/4 cup whole milk
3 cups peanut oil
3 batches All-Purpose Fry Dredge (recipe follows)
Kosher salt, if needed
Lemon juice, if needed

Cut out the stem ends from the tomatoes and slice them 1/4-inch thick with a serrated tomato or bread knife; reserve. Whisk the eggs and milk together in a broad, shallow bowl.

Pour the oil into a 12-inch skillet and heat over medium-high heat until the temperature on a candy thermometer reads 365 degrees. (If using a different size skillet or pan, fill with oil to a depth of 1/3 inch.)

Heat the oven to 225. Set a cooling rack on a cookie sheet and place on the top rack of the oven.

Spread the dredge on a large plate or pie pan or in a small, shallow baking pan. Taste the tomatoes. They should have a bright tartness like citrus fruit. If they don't, sprinkle the slices with salt and lemon juice. Then press 1 tomato slice into the dredge, once on each side, shaking any excess loose. Dunk in the egg mixture, then dredge the slice on both sides again. Shake off any excess and place the slice on a clean plate. Repeat with more slices until you've dredged enough for a batch (3 or 4 slices). With a spatula, transfer the first batch of slices to the oil.

As the first batch cooks, dredge the second batch of tomatoes, but keep a watchful eye on the first. Once the slices have fried to a rich golden brown on one side, about 2 minutes, flip them carefully and fry for 2 minutes more, or until golden brown. Transfer the fried tomatoes to a plate lined with a double thickness of paper towels and leave them to drain for 1 minute.

Transfer the slices to the cooling rack in the oven, arranging them in a single layer, so they remain warm and crisp. Repeat with the remaining slices until all the green tomatoes have been fried. Serve right away with Buttermilk-Lime Dressing (recipe follows). Serves 6

All-Purpose Fry Dredge
1/2 cup flour
3 tbsp stone-ground cornmeal
2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

In a medium bowl, sift the flour, cornmeal, salt and pepper together twice. Makes 3/4 cup (1 batch).

NOTE: Add a sprinkling of bread crumbs if using dredge for fish or oysters for quick browning.

Buttermilk-Lime Dressing
3/4 cup whole or low-fat buttermilk (preferably whole)
5 tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice (from 3 to 4 limes)
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp. honey
1/4 cup finely minced fresh basil
1/4 cup finely minced green onions
1/4 cup finely minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 tsp. salt, plus more to taste

In a small bowl, whisk the ingredients together until thoroughly combined. Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator not more than 2 days. Makes 1 1/4 cups.