Experience Southern Charm: Fried Green Tomato Salad with Sweet Chili Dressing

Living in one of the United States’ warmest states offers a unique perspective on seasons. While friends in San Francisco boast about cool, alfresco lunches on sunny afternoons, my reality often involves the instant crease-sweat that mimics spinach wilting in a hot pan during summer. The relentless humidity can be a challenge, yet it’s December when I truly appreciate this climate. While others are bundled up, I’m still cultivating a vibrant garden in shorts and a tank top, often in comfortable 80°F weather. There’s a distinct joy in harvesting fresh produce when most of the country is in winter’s grip.

My gardening journey took an exciting turn a few months ago when I invested in several Earthboxes. These ingenious self-watering planters promised low maintenance and high productivity, a combination that deeply appealed to my gardening aspirations. I planted three tomato plants, alongside lettuce, various herbs, cauliflower, peppers, and broccoli. The tomatoes, in particular, flourished with incredible vigor, shooting up to three feet tall within weeks, adorned with countless blossoms. The Earthbox system lived up to its reputation, offering a nearly effortless path to a bountiful harvest. It truly felt like I had found a secret weapon for thriving in a challenging climate.

However, this rapid growth came with an unexpected challenge. One afternoon, I returned home to a gardener’s nightmare: all three thriving tomato plants had collapsed. The standard wire trellis, designed to support much smaller plants, simply couldn’t withstand the immense weight of these burgeoning beauties. One plant suffered a critical break, leaving two months’ worth of meticulously cared-for tomatoes, which I had lovingly massaged, sung to, and even kissed, dangling precariously from their stems. It was a disheartening sight, but thankfully, the other two plants remained salvageable. My resourceful partner, Scott, swiftly came to the rescue, constructing a sturdy, custom-built wooden trellis system. This impressive structure, roughly the size of a small bathroom, was designed to provide ample support for their continued growth, a testament to our commitment to nurturing our garden. I definitely plan to capture a photo of this magnificent setup for you all to see next time.

From this unexpected turn of events, a delightful opportunity arose. We harvested eighteen small, firm green tomatoes – the perfect number for a classic Southern dish, reimagined. Inspired by Elise’s Fried Green Tomato recipe, I knew these vibrant green gems were destined for greatness, especially when paired with my homemade Sweet Chili Dressing and a medley of our own homegrown salad greens. These little green babies were about to go out in the most delicious style imaginable.

Beyond the tomatoes, another Earthbox dedicated solely to various salad greens has been overflowing. Our small family simply can’t keep up with the sheer volume of crisp lettuce we’re producing. I’ve happily embraced the role of a “lettuce-pusher,” regularly gifting bags of fresh greens and aromatic herbs to friends whenever I visit. This particular Fried Green Tomato Salad with Sweet Chili Dressing proved so incredibly satisfying and irresistibly delicious that I have a strong suspicion many of our remaining green tomatoes will be plucked before they even have a chance to ripen. The choice of panko breadcrumbs for coating was a stroke of genius, offering an incredibly light yet profoundly crunchy texture when fried. It elevates the dish, making each bite a delightful contrast of textures and flavors.

P.S. I admit, I was so eager to photograph this beautiful creation that I completely forgot to drizzle it with the Sweet Chili Dressing beforehand. Rest assured, it was added and savored shortly after!

Fried Green Tomato Salad with Sweet Chili Dressing

This recipe for Fried Green Tomato Salad, featuring a vibrant Sweet Chili Dressing, is a delightful fusion of Southern comfort and Asian-inspired flavors. The classic fried green tomatoes provide a tangy, crisp base, perfectly complemented by the sweet and spicy notes of the dressing. This dish is ideal for a light lunch, a flavorful appetizer, or a unique side salad, especially when fresh green tomatoes are in season.

This recipe has been thoughtfully adapted from Elise, who herself adapted it from the esteemed Better Homes & Garden New Cook Book. For those with gluten sensitivities, simply substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and regular breadcrumbs with a gluten-free alternative. The sweet chili sauce specified in the dressing recipe is naturally gluten-free. The exquisite Sweet Chili Dressing itself is a creative adaptation from the “Asian Tapas” cookbook, a truly gorgeous book brimming with delicious recipes, each accompanied by a beautiful photo that inspires culinary adventures.

Ingredients

For the Fried Green Tomatoes:

• 3 medium, firm green tomatoes
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 beaten eggs
• 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup olive oil (for frying)
• 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• Large pinch of chili powder
• Salad greens (for serving)

For the Sweet Chili Dressing:

• 1 tablespoon bottled sweet chili sauce (Mae Ploy brand recommended)
• 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon lime juice

Instructions

1. Begin by preparing the green tomatoes: slice them into 1/2-inch thick rounds, leaving the peels on. Season both sides of each tomato slice generously with salt, fresh ground pepper, and a large pinch of chili powder. Set them aside to rest while you prepare the other components.
2. In the meantime, prepare your dredging station. Set up four separate shallow bowls in the following order: one with milk, one with all-purpose flour, one with the beaten eggs, and the final one with panko breadcrumbs. This systematic approach ensures a smooth and efficient coating process for your tomato slices.
3. Prepare the Sweet Chili Dressing by combining all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk them thoroughly until well mixed and the sugar has dissolved. Set this aside.
4. Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, ensuring it’s evenly distributed across the pan and shimmers, indicating it’s ready for frying.
5. One by one, dip each seasoned tomato slice first into the milk, ensuring it’s fully coated. Then dredge it in the flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the beaten eggs, letting any excess drip off. Finally, press the slice firmly into the panko breadcrumbs until it’s completely coated on both sides.
6. Carefully place the breaded tomato slices into the hot skillet, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the slices for 3-5 minutes per side, or until they achieve a beautiful golden-brown color and a satisfying crisp texture. You may need to do this in batches.
7. Once fried, transfer the golden-brown tomato slices to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
8. To serve, arrange a bed of fresh salad greens on individual plates or a large platter. Top with the warm, crispy fried green tomato slices. Generously drizzle the homemade Sweet Chili Dressing over the salad. Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful combination of flavors and textures!

Notes

For the sweet chili sauce, I highly recommend the Mae Ploy brand, which is widely available and consistently delivers excellent flavor for the dressing. You can see an image of it below for reference.

This Fried Green Tomato Salad is more than just a recipe; it’s a celebration of seasonal produce and the simple joys of gardening. The crisp texture of the panko-crusted tomatoes combined with the zesty, tangy sweet chili dressing creates a vibrant flavor profile that is both comforting and exciting. It’s a perfect dish to showcase the bounty of a home garden or to enjoy as a taste of Southern hospitality with a global twist.

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Menu for Hope: A Global Culinary Charity Event

I am incredibly excited and proud to be participating in Menu for Hope this year for the first time. This inspiring annual event leverages the power of the global food blogging community to make a tangible difference in the world. Rather than attempting to articulate its mission in my own words, I believe it’s best to share the essence of the program directly from its visionary founder, Chez Pim:

“Menu for Hope is an annual fundraising event in support of the UN World Food Programme. Five years ago, the devastating tsunami in Southeast Asia inspired me to find a way to help, and the very first Menu for Hope was born. In 2006, Menu for Hope raised US$60,925.12 to help the UN World Food Programme feed the hungry.

Each year, food bloggers from all over the world join forces to host the Menu for Hope online raffle, offering an array of delectable culinary prizes. For every US$10, the donor receives a virtual raffle ticket toward a prize of their choice. This year, the prizes include once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as touring the elBulli laboratory with Ferran Adrià, dining on a historic British meal prepared by Heston Blumenthal, or joining Harold McGee on a lunch date to satisfy a lifetime’s worth of cooking curiosity. You can also tag along with your favorite blogger on a tour of their favorite markets, restaurants, or even receive a care package fashioned especially for you from your favorite bloggers themselves. All you need is $10 and a bit of luck.

We may never eradicate hunger from the face of the earth, but why should that stop us from trying?”

Menu for Hope represents a unique opportunity for food enthusiasts to contribute to a vital cause while also having the chance to win extraordinary culinary experiences and goods. The UN World Food Programme is at the forefront of global efforts to combat hunger, providing essential food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Every dollar contributed goes directly towards supporting these critical initiatives, making a real impact on the lives of those in need.

This year, our East Coast host for Menu for Hope is Serious Eats, which happens to be one of my absolute favorite food websites. Their commitment to culinary exploration and community makes them the perfect partner for this noble cause. I wholeheartedly encourage you to visit their site, explore the incredible range of prizes available, and consider making a donation. Your contribution, however small, can make a profound difference. You can view the full list of prizes and their descriptions on Chez Pim’s blog.

My personal contribution to this year’s Menu for Hope is a precious 1-ounce package of saffron threads, sourced from Saffron.com. This isn’t just a small pinch; an entire ounce of saffron is a truly generous quantity, more than enough to elevate countless dishes in your kitchen and likely more than you could use in a year! Saffron is renowned as the world’s most expensive spice, prized for its distinct aroma, vibrant color, and unique flavor. Winning this prize would be a fantastic opportunity for any home cook or culinary enthusiast to experiment with this luxurious ingredient. To enter the raffle for this exquisite saffron, simply make a donation of $10 or more and use the specific prize code during your entry: UE-05. Your support helps feed the hungry, and you might just win a treasure for your spice cabinet!