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This my “towanda!” sandwich. If you’re unfamiliar with what “towanda” is, I forgive you. It just means I might be older than you and/or you don’t memorize scenes from movies that were made in the 90s. Regardless of what the reasoning is, you should watch this scene from Fried Green Tomatoes.
Kathy Bates is having a rough go and these two cute girls take her spot and instead of saying sorry like normal humans, they make fun of her. Instead of finding another spot, she does what all of us wish we could do: she smashes her car into theirs…over and over again. Right now that’s my dream in life. Since I can’t do that because I’ll likely go to jail? (that’s assault, brotha (another 90s movies reference, I’m sorry), I’m eating awesome sandwiches like these!
Hello! Look at this bread! The restaurant that Josh cooks at had an event on Monday night with the famous bakery, Tartine, and he was lucky enough to take some extra loaves home. And these aren’t just any ol’ loaves of bread but bread that makes you think why all other bread doesn’t taste like this BECAUSE IT SHOULD!
Fried green tomatoes are one of my favorite summah things to make. Crispy and tart and softened enough that they’re the perfect inclusion in a grilled cheese that has too much cheese.
And pimento cheese! AHH! The only thing that could’ve made this grilled cheese better, though I don’t think it’s an absolute must, is bacon. I forgot the bacon at the store because I’m terrible at writing lists and get distracted in the cosmetic aisle at Whole Foods and spend way too much time smelling shampoos and lotions.
So, if you make this, add some bacon.
Fried Green Tomato Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 firm green tomatoes
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup all-purpose
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of cayenne
- Pinch of black pepper
- 4 slices of bread, I had rye from this bakery because I'm a lucky person
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 recipe of Pimento cheese
Instructions
- Using a serrated knife, slice the green tomatoes to a 1/4-inch thickness. Sprinkle the tomatoes with a bit of salt and allow them to sit on a few paper towels to drain.
- Now we're going to make our assembly line. In one bowl, add the flour. In another, whisk together the cornmeal, bread crumbs, salt, cayenne and black pepper. Lastly, whisk the egg in another bowl (you may need another egg--add it later if you need to).
- Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a pan that is set over moderately medium heat. Dip the slices of tomatoes in the flour, and then the beaten egg and then, for its last trip, to the bowl with the bread crumbs. Make sure the tomatoes are completely coated, sides of the tomatoes included! Don't be afraid to use your other hand to sprinkle the bare spots, if needed.
- Transfer the tomatoes to the hot oil and fry on each side for about 1 minute, until crispy and golden brown. Place them on a bed of paper towels to drain. Add any more oil to the pan if needed and continue with frying the remaining slices up.
- To make the grilled cheese, smear a few tablespoons of pimento cheese onto each piece of bread, top with a handful of grated cheese and a few fried green tomatoes. Top it with another piece of bread. Repeat with the remaining sandwich. In a saucepan (you can even use the one you used to fry the fried green tomatoes), heat a tablespoon of butter over medium heat. When the pan is hot, add the sandwich, flipping at when the underside is crispy and golden brown. Turn the sandwich onto its opposite side and cover the pan to help melt the cheese. Remove and repeat with the other sandwich. Slice in half and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
TOWANDA!!!!
You’re my hero. This sandwich looks unbelievable, and that movie is one of my favorites- the type of movie you MUST watch any time you catch it on TV, and you can start at any point because you know it so well you don’t need to see the beginning
Anyway. You’re much more forgiving of people who don’t know that movie than I would be. And I really need this sandwich in my life RIGHT NOW.
I do have one serious question: These sandwiches LOOK fantastic. But how is one expected to bite through that adamantium crust without cutting one’s mouth, or at the very least squirting sandwich fillings across the room? I guess I’ve never understood sandwiches served on hard-toasted crusty bread.
This sandwich is my spirit animal.
You are my hero. Fried Green Tomatoes (the movie) is my jam. I grew up on it, and I will love it forever and ever. I feel like it’s the the female Shawshank Redemption.
The food is so easy to make bad though. I always order them whenever they’re on a menu and I’d say 50% of the time they’re meh. But it never stops me from ordering them. Ever.
Pimento cheese (and bacon) would totally make this over the top. So good!
That is one of my favorite movies to this day. The soundtrack alone makes me cry in just a few minutes. I’ve always wanted to try the food from the cafe (“The secret’s in the sauce”), especially the green fried tomatoes (I only haven’t because I simply never find green tomatoes around here)!
Love you post and the recipe!
Ohhh lawd! These sandwiches look insane. I wish I could buy one from you because never in a miliion years would my attempt look that delicious.
Yes. Yes to everything.
You are killin it with these southern recipes!!
These look amazing. Definitely making them in the next week or so as our tomatoes proliferate.
Love that movie, btw!
This post makes me so happy! I dream of the day I can travel to Georgia and visit the real Whistle Stop Cafe (I, too, grew up watching and loving FGT!), but as yet I have never tried a fried green tomato. I can’t wait to try this recipe! Thanks!