Fried Green Tomatoes With Burst Cherry Tomatoes Pancetta And Lobster Food

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES

Steps:

• In a deep-fryer, preheat oil to 350 degrees F.
• Season tomatoes, on both sides, with salt and pepper. Place flour and garlic powder in a shallow dish. In another shallow dish, beat eggs with the milk. In another dish, mix bread crumbs with cayenne and paprika. Dredge tomatoes through the flour, then the eggs, and then through the bread crumbs. Add only a few pieces to the fryer at a time, so they can cook evenly, about 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve with Buttermilk Dipping Sauce:
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the apple cider and brown sugar. Allow to reduce until thick and syrupy. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
• In a medium bowl, add buttermilk, mayonnaise, BBQ sauce and lime juice and whisk well. Add in the scallions and the apple cider mixture. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve with Fried Green Tomatoes.

PASTA WITH BURST CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until 1 minute shy of al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking water.
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat for 15 seconds, then add the oil and heat until it thins out and easily coats the pan when swirled. Add pancetta and cook until it starts to render its fat, about 2 minutes. Add garlic, red pepper flakes and a large pinch of salt and pepper and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook until they burst, turn golden at the edges and shrivel up slightly, about 5 to 8 minutes.
• Add pasta to pan and toss with tomato-pancetta mixture; if the mixture looks dry add a little pasta cooking water a few tablespoons at a time. Cook over high heat until the pasta finishes cooking in the sauce. Add the butter and toss until it melts and coats everything.
• Divide pasta among warmed pasta bowls. Garnish with dollops of ricotta if desired, and top with a generous mound of fresh mint and scallions. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt and more pepper before serving.

BURST CHERRY TOMATO PASTA

Steps:

• Heat ½ cup oil in a large heavy pot over low. Add garlic and cook, stirring often with a wooden spoon, until softened but not browned, about 2 minutes.
• Increase heat to medium and add tomatoes, basil sprigs, red pepper flakes, and 1½ tsp. salt. Cook, stirring to coat, until some of the tomatoes begin to burst and release their juices, about 4 minutes. Smash some but not all of the tomatoes with the spoon to help release their liquid, then continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until a chunky, thickened sauce forms (about half the tomatoes should still be intact), 10-12 minutes. Taste and add sugar if sauce is too tart and add more salt if needed. Pluck out and discard basil sprigs.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente.
• Drain pasta, add to pot with sauce, and cook, stirring, until coated, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in 1 oz. Parmesan.
• Divide pasta among bowls; drizzle with oil. Top with more Parmesan and 1 cup basil leaves.

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, garlic powder, and cayenne together.
• Pour the buttermilk into a separate bowl and season with salt and pepper.
• Dip the tomatoes in the buttermilk and then dredge them in the cornmeal mixture, coating both sides well.
• Place a large cast iron skillet over medium heat and coat with the oil.
• When the oil is hot, pan-fry the tomatoes (in batches if necessary) until golden brown and crispy on both sides, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
• Carefully remove the tomatoes and drain on paper towels.
• Serve with hot pepper sauce and lemon.

FRIED GREEN TOMATO "BLT"

Steps:

• Puree basil, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, lemon juice, and mustard in processor until smooth. Transfer to small bowl; mix in remaining 1 cup mayonnaise and season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange pancetta in single layer on rimmed baking sheet. Cook until pancetta is just crisp, about 15 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Reduce oven temperature to 200°F.
• Sprinkle all green tomato slices with salt and pepper. Place 1/2 cup flour in shallow bowl. Mix remaining 1/2 cup flour with cornmeal in another shallow bowl to blend. Working with 1 green tomato slice at a time, coat with flour, then egg, then flour-cornmeal mixture. Transfer to baking sheet. Line second baking sheet with paper towels. Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, fry green tomatoes until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Using slotted spoon, transfer to prepared baking sheet; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Keep warm in oven.
• Sprinkle red and yellow tomatoes with salt and pepper. Place 1 fried green tomato slice on each of 6 plates. Spread each with 1 teaspoon basil mayonnaise, then top with 2 tablespoons arugula, 1 slice pancetta, 1 slice red tomato, another fried green tomato, 1 slice yellow tomato, pancetta, and another 2 tablespoons arugula. Spoon 1 teaspoon mayonnaise over arugula, then top with remaining fried green tomatoes. Spoon 1 teaspoon mayonnaise atop green tomato. Finish with remaining pancetta and serve.
• *Pancetta, Italian bacon cured in salt, is available at Italian markets and some specialty food stores and supermarkets.