Perfect Fried Green Tomatoes

• servings: 5 servings
• active time: 20 minutes
• total time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

4 green tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch slices

salt and ground black pepper to taste

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons salt, divided

2 teaspoons ground black pepper, divided

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup cornmeal

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1 teaspoon paprika

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 cups canola oil, or as needed

½ cup ranch dressing

2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning

2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce

Directions

Season tomato slices with salt and pepper.

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.

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 to let tomatoes absorb the coating, 10 to 15 minutes.

Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

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.

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.

Nutrition

• Calories: 443 kcal
• Total Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 9 mg
• Sodium: 1877 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 52 g
• Dietary Fiber: 4 g
• Total Sugars: 8 g
• Protein: 8 g