Fried Green Tomatoes

Fried Green Tomatoes

Ingredients:

• 4 green tomatoes, cut into ¼-inch slices
• To taste salt and ground black pepper
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. salt, divided
• 2 tsp. ground black pepper, divided
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 tsp. dried parsley
• 1 tsp. paprika
• ½ tsp. cayenne pepper
• 2 cups canola oil, or as needed

Ingredient for Cajun Ranch Sauce:

• ½ cup ranch dressing
• 2 tbsp. Cajun seasoning
• 2 tbsp. hot pepper sauce or to taste

Directions:

1. Season tomato slices with salt and pepper.
2. Combine flour, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper in a shallow bowl. Pour buttermilk into a second shallow bowl. Mix cornmeal, parsley, paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper and cayenne pepper in a third shallow bowl.
3. Dredge each tomato slice in flour mixture to coat, dip into buttermilk and finish by pressing both sides of tomato into cornmeal mixture to coat. Lay coated tomato slices on a baking sheet; set aside 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Heat oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 350 F.
5. Gently drop tomato slices into hot oil and cook until crispy, golden brown and floating, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on a plate lined with paper towels.
6. To make the dipping sauce: Whisk ranch dressing, Cajun seasoning and hot pepper sauce together in a small bowl. Serve sauce with fried tomato slices.