Fried Green Tomatoes

Directions

1. 1
   Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk the ingredients together until thoroughly combined.
2. 2
   Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator not more than 2 days.
3. 3
   Makes 1 1/4 cups.
4. 4
   Make the dredge: In a medium bowl, sift the flour, cornmeal, salt, and pepper together twice.
5. 5
   Stir and turn out into a flat surface.
6. 6
   Pres fish or green tomatoes or oysters or chicken or clams into the mixture on all sides and shake the excess loose.
7. 7
   Cut out the stem ends from the tomatoes and slice them 1/4-inch thick with a serrated tomato or bread knife; reserve.
8. 8
   Whisk the eggs and milk together in a broad, shallow bowl.
9. 9
   Pour the oil into a 12-inch skillet and heat over medium-high heat until the temperature on a candy thermometer reads 365 degrees.
10. 10
    (If using a different size skillet or pan, fill with oil to a depth of 1/3 inch)
11. 11
    Heat the oven to 225 degrees.
12. 12
    Set a bakers rack on a cookie sheet on the top rack.
13. 13
    Spread the dredge on a large plate or pie pan or in a small, shallow baking pan.
14. 14
    Taste the tomatoes.
15. 15
    They should have a bright tartness like citrus fruit.
16. 16
    If they dont, sprinkle the slices with salt and lemon juice.
17. 17
    Then press 1 tomato slice into the dredge, once on each side, shaking any excess loose.
18. 18
    Dunk in the egg mixture, then dredge the slice on both side again.
19. 19
    Shake of any excess and place the slice on a clean plate.
20. 20
    Repeat with more slices until youve dredged enough for a batch (3 or 4 slices).
21. 21
    With a spatula, transfer the first batch of slices to the oil.
22. 22
    As the first batch cooks, dredge the second batch of tomatoes, but keep a watchful eye on the first.
23. 23
    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.
24. 24
    Transfer the fried tomatoes to a plate lined with a double thickness of paper towels and leave them to drain for 1 minute.
25. 25
    Transfer the slices to the bakers rack in the oven, arranging them in a single later, so they remain warm and crisp.
26. 26
    Repeat with the remaining slices until all the green tomatoes have been fried.
27. 27
    Serve right away with Buttermilk-Lime Dressing.