Appetizing Muse

Last night I fried up the last of the green tomatoes from the garden. It's a taste I'll miss during the winter months. Eggplant is fine and dandy, but it's just not the same as the tangy goodness of fried green tomatoes.

Instead of referring to my tried and true recipe, I dredged the sliced green tomatoes in flour and tossed them into a skiff of hot vegetable oil in the frying pan. They turned out fine, tasty and quite edible. However, in winging the process I forgot about preparing the excellent batter that's supposed to be part of the dish.

Lest I ever forget again, the recipe is displayed below in all it's glory:

Fried Green Tomatoes

6 small-to-medium green tomatoes

1 C Bisquick Baking Mix

1 can of beer

Salt & black pepper to taste

Vegetable oil for cooking

 

Rinse tomatoes under cold water. Pat dry. Cut tomatoes into slices, about 1/4-inch thick. In a large bowl, combine the Bisquick Baking mix with beer, using a whisk to mix. Use enough beer to make the batter liquid but not overly thick. Add salt and black pepper to taste; stir. Heat enough vegetable oil to cover the bottom of a frying pan on medium to medium-high heat. Dredge the tomato slices in the batter; allow excess to drip back into bowl. Place battered tomato slices in the hot oil and fry until golden brown on each side. Drain on a plate covered with paper towels. Suggestions: Fried Green Tomatoes are best when served hot, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days and reheated in the microwave. Shenanchie's Note: I've never been able to find green tomatoes in the local grocery store. I simply pluck them from my own tomato plants. The use of Bisquick Baking Mix rather than all-purpose flour for the batter preparation gives an extra flavor and richness to the Fried Green Tomatoes.

A friend of mine from Washington has never tasted Fried Green Tomatoes. I sent her the correct recipe, extolling the virtues of the dish. Hopefully she tries it before the season is over.

It's going to be a long winter without the little green tidbits.