When I was at Dinosaur BBQ a couple weeks ago I noticed they had Fried Green Tomato BLTs on their menu. I was so incredibly tempted to order it for dinner, but figured since I was at a BBQ joint I should most definitely order some tasty ribs, which is exactly what I did. I couldn't stand the thought of not eating any fried green tomatoes so I ordered them as an appetizer and they were delicious to the umpteenth power. As I was eating them I promised myself that I'd make fried green tomatoes when I got home... And that's exactly what I did last night.
First things first, you need, well, green tomatoes. After searching high and low for them at three local grocery stores and becoming increasingly more frustrated with each failed trip, I remembered that Allandale Farm in Brookline wasn't too far from my house. I hopped back in my car, looked the farm up on my iPhone, called to see what time they closed and asked if they had green tomatoes. Yes, they had them, and they closed in 30 minutes. Pedal to the metal, that's what I did. You see, the thing about me is once I get my mind set on something, I.will.not.give.up. At all. I was in the mood for fried green tomatoes and if that meant I had to drive to Alabama to find them, that's what I was going to do. Okay, not really. But I want things when I want them and I'm rarely willing to compromise. Especially when food is involved.
Here's what you need:
• 4 slices of bacon (or really, however much you'd like)
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water
• ½ cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 lb unripe green tomatoes or large tomatillos, cut into ½ inch slices
• canola oil
• thick slices of whole wheat or multigrain bread, toasted
• mayonnaise and baby arugula, for assembling sandwiches
Let's pause for a moment to enjoy the bounty of the farm:
(these are the tomatillo, above. I didn't use them, since the farm had green tomatoes, but just bought a couple to show you all what they looked like!)
Okay, back to the game-plan.
Here's what you do:
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Place the bacon on the foil and bake for roughly 15 minutes, until the bacon is crispy and your house smells like heaven 😉 For optimal crunch and minimum splatter, baking your bacon is the way to go. It comes out a lot flatter than it does in a skillet and the crunch factor is pretty phenomenal. Drain the bacon on a paper towel lined plate and cut in half.
• Meanwhile, put the flour, egg mixture, and cornmeal in 3 separate shallow bowls. Season the cornmeal with salt and pepper. Next time I'm definitely going to add a little cayenne, too. They could use a lil' heat!
• Dip the tomato slices in the flour, followed by the egg, then to cornmeal, making sure to press the cornmeal to help it better adhere. Transfer the slices to a wax paper-lined platter.
• In a large skillet, heat ¼ inch of canola oil until shimmering. Place tomatoes in oil and cook over moderately high heat, turning once. You'll be able to tell when the tomatoes are done when they are perfectly golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes.
• Drain tomatoes on paper towels.
• Toast your whole wheat bread, spread a layer of mayonnaise, followed by a fried green tomato (or however many you'd like), bacon, and baby arugula.
This sandwich has some serious personality. It requires big bites and each mouthful is a crunch-fest of some of my favorite flavors. I like taking "average" meals, like a BLT, and making them more unique by adding interesting and unsuspecting add-ons, like the fried green tomato. It just makes it different and special. Well to us northerner's its different, maybe this goes on daily down south? With a glass of sweet tea? It should be known that if this is a regular occurrence down south, I just might have to pack my bags and have an extended stay 😉
It should also be known that Fried Green Tomatoes is one of my favorite movies. Now I have a craving to watch it again.
Oh, and one more thing. This is VERY important...
For my birthday, Sues and Chris got me a 6-month membership to The Bacon of the Month Club through the Grateful Palate (there site has been down for a bit!). Do you all - or shall I say y'all since we just spoke of Fried Green Tomatoes? - know how excited I am to receive delicious artisan bacon monthly?!?!?!?! This weekend I was sent the welcome package to the Bacon of the Month Club. Among many items, there was a pig snout in the box. Obviously taking a picture of myself wearing it was the first thing I did. I wore this around the house for far longer than is normal. I had a dent in my nose to prove it.
Also, on Sunday my friend Melis gave me a big ole' box of adorable pig related goodies, like a pig ice cream scoop! 🙂
And yes, I understand that pigs being my absolute favorite animal and bacon being my favorite food is a very, very, very twisted thing. I'm working on it.
Some of my other favorite unique sandwiches:
Apple, Sunflower Seed, and Cheddar Sandwich
Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich on a Deli Flat
Cafe 11 Club Sandwich
What's your favorite unique sandwich?
[Chels]
brandi says
I haven't had fried green tomatoes in forever!
And Bacon of the Month club? That sounds like the best idea ever. I love the snout.
sweetersalt says
Yum! I love green tomatoes and get them at the farmer's market all the time. So. good. Also, really jealous that you have a bacon of the month club membership. Amazing.
laura
kickpleat says
I've never had a fried green tomato before and they look amazing! Totally a fantastic sandwich.
Sophie @ yumventures says
Oooh, this looks so good! I've never had fried green tomatoes, but I did cook with tomatillos last night and they were delicious! Its ok about your pig/bacon thing, ducks are my favorite animal and I love to eat them too!
Simply Life says
ha, what a fun bday gift! oooh and those tomatoes look great!
Emily @ The Happy Home says
hahahahah! it's a look, for sure. the tomatoes look delish... i'll try this without the B for sure!
Chels says
@Emily just had it for lunch without the B and it was stiiiill delicious! 🙂 The fried green tomatoes are great on their own too, with a little cheese on top or a light ranch dressing. [chels]
Amanda says
After a bridal luncheon a few weeks ago in KY, I can tell you the fried green tomatoes are also delicious on a sandwich with goat cheese. I grew up eating fried green tomatoes but I'd never had them so fancy! 😉
Megan says
We just got back from the Cape and have NOTHING in the house. Can't tell you how much I would love a fried green tomato BLT right now. Looks fabulous!
I tried a recipe with buttermilk and baking soda, and the tomatoes came out so good. Love fried green tomatoes!
Joanne says
First things first and that is that you are NOT allowed to come to NYC without us hanging out. Ever. Again.
K?
Next. BACON OF THE MONTH CLUB! How awesome. I want to see tons of bacony deliciousness like these fabulous sandwiches! Holy yum.
Lauren says
This sandwich sounds fantastic! I think I could live off of sandwiches. One of my favorite creations was a peach & pepper jack cheese panino that I posted a while ago. It's so much fun to experiment with different ingredient combinations!
Velva says
Happy Birthday to you!
I can see why the fried green tomato BLT had some serious personaility-it looks awesome. Glad you were able to finally find those green tomatoes.
btw, I have always been intrigued by tomatillos but, I have never actually cooked with them. I think you may have just inspired me.
Sarah @ Aubergine says
That sandwich looks deee-licious. Yum! I wish we had a Bacon of the Month Club here. Sounds like a great idea to me (what a fantastic gift!)
Michelle says
This fried green tomato BLT looks awesome and you look ADORABLE with your pig snout!
emily says
That is a serious sandwich. I don't know where I'd find green tomatoes either. Pigs are my fave non-domestic animal, too. 🙂
Julie Q says
Have you ever had the Dino BBQ Fried Green Tomatoes appetizer?? I need to figure out how to make the sauce they serve with it. SO GOOD! You look like you made Dino proud in this post
Juliana says
I never had fried green tomatoes...and would love to try it...looks very yummie in a sandwich 🙂
5 Star Foodie says
Awesome BLT with fried green tomatoes - yum!!!
Shelley says
I'm pretty obsessed with fried green tomatoes, and yes, we pretty much have them with every Sunday lunch in the South, or at least we do at my house, maybe I'm just lucky! Best sandwich I EVER had? Crab cake BLT with a fried green tomato, HEAVEN on a plate! I've tried to recreate at home, mine was as good but it was very tasty! Although I do need a simple recipe for remoulade, I didn't like what the restaurant provided; it was a bit too spicy for me.
Kayla says
Yes down south (South Carolina) fried green tomato BLT's are the thing! They are very popular.
Favorite Unique Sandwich is:
Apple Butter for the spread, deli turkey, & thin slices of granny smith apple on toast. YUMMY! 🙂
Cooking with Coley says
Wait a sec... you were at Dinosaur BBQ? As in the Syracuse, Rochester and most recently Harlem BBQ joint? Like this one: http://cookingwithcoley.com/dinosaur-bar-b-que-real-bbq-real-yummy/ Or am I totally confused?
Elina (Healthy and Sane) says
I'm a little scared of fried food but I think since you're frying healthy things (tomatoes) it could be a nice compromise. I'm totally craving this sandwich now. Mmmmm 🙂
Sharlene says
I've never had a fried green tomato!! But I'll pretty much eat anything fried so I'm sure I'd love it. Also, the Bacon on the Month club sounds like a dream come true. Who knew such things existed? I'll have to pick the perfect friend to gift it to (this friend may in fact be yours truly).
To Kiss the Cook says
Holy Maloney- this is happening ASAP.
Kelly says
Obsessed with fried green tomatoes lately! When I was in American my mom's catering company was making Eggs benedict with fried green tomatoes instead of an english muffin for brunch parties. Literally the BEST thing I have ever eaten in my entire life. Now I'm back in England and green tomatoes are no where to be found! 🙁