Spicy Fried Red Tomatoes

With cilantro tartar sauce

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Servings: 4-6

Many of us have enjoyed fried green tomatoes — but what about frying up some juicy, red, ripe ones? As summer wanes and tomatoes lose their shine, we thought you’d enjoy a unique way to eat up the last of this year’s crop — crispy and cheesy with a dollop of tartar sauce.

Ingredients

4 medium-sized, meaty, ripe red tomatoes, cut into ⅓” slices

Salt

Preferred frying oil

½ cup flour

2 eggs, lightly beaten with 2 tablespoons water

1 cup finely crumbled hot potato chips

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

½ cup mayonnaise (Duke’s preferred)

2 tablespoons finely minced onion

½ cup finely minced celery

1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish

½ cup loosely packed chopped cilantro

1½ teaspoons sugar

¼ teaspoon celery salt

Directions

Slice tomatoes and lay onto paper towels. Lightly sprinkle with salt and drain at least 30 minutes before cooking.
Heat ½-inch oil over medium heat in a frying pan. Combine flour, eggs and chips in a bowl. Dip tomato slices into this mixture and fry in batches until crunchy and lightly browned, about two minutes per side. Drain. Serve with tartar sauce.
For the tartar sauce, combine all ingredients and mix well.

Recipe Courtesy Of

Wendy Perry, a culinary adventurist and blogger, chats about goodness around NC on her blog at WendysHomeEconomics.com.