Fried Tomatoes With Cream Sauce Recipe

Fried Tomatoes With Cream Sauce Recipe

History:
Fried tomatoes with cream sauce is a classic dish that has been enjoyed for generations. Tomatoes, a versatile fruit, have been a staple in many cuisines for centuries. The concept of frying tomatoes can be traced back to early American colonial times when tomatoes were introduced. Native to South America, tomatoes quickly gained popularity among European settlers in North America.

Fun Facts:
- Tomatoes are technically classified as a fruit, but they are widely considered and used as a vegetable in culinary applications.
- The acidity of tomatoes can vary, with some varieties being sweeter and others more tangy.
- Frying tomatoes helps to enhance their natural sweetness and adds a crispy texture to the dish.
- Cream sauce, also known as béchamel, is a classic French sauce made from butter, flour, and milk. It is widely used in various dishes to add richness and creaminess.

Ingredients:
- 3 large, solid, ripe tomatoes
- Flour, for dredging
- Several slices of bacon
- 1 tablespoon of butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Sugar (optional)
- Lump of butter, for sauce
- 1/2 cup of sweet milk
- Flour, for thickening
- Cold milk, for mixing with flour
- Crisply toasted bread (optional)

Instructions:
1. Begin by cutting the large, solid, ripe tomatoes into half-inch slices. Each ordinary tomato should yield approximately 3 slices.
2. Dredge the tomato slices thickly with flour, ensuring that they are completely coated.
3. In an iron pan, fry several slices of bacon until crispy. Once fried, remove the bacon from the pan and keep it warm in the oven.
4. In the same pan, add a tablespoon of butter and the well-floured tomato slices. Fry the slices in the hot bacon fat and butter until they become brown on both sides.
5. Once the tomato slices are browned, transfer them to a hot platter and serve with the bacon.
6. Alternatively, you can fry the flour-coated tomato slices in a pan with a small amount of butter and drippings. Fry them quickly over a hot fire, ensuring to brown them on each side.
7. If the tomatoes are very sour, sprinkle a very little amount of sugar over them before frying.
8. Carefully lift the browned tomatoes from the pan and arrange them in a circle around the inside edge of a warm chop plate.
9. Add a lump of butter to the pan and pour in a small half cup of sweet milk. Allow it to come to a boil.
10. Thicken the milk mixture by adding a little flour smoothly mixed with a little cold milk. Cook until the consistency reaches that of thick cream.
11. Season the cream sauce with salt and pour it into the center of the chop plate, surrounded by the fried slices of tomatoes.
12. Dust pepper over the top of the dish and serve it hot.

Additional Serving Suggestions:
- For a twist on the traditional presentation, you can serve the fried tomato slices on top of slices of crisply toasted bread. Spread a couple tablespoons of the cream sauce over the bread before placing the tomatoes.
- This dish pairs well with a side of fresh salad for a complete meal option.

Similar Recipe Dishes:
- Another popular option for enjoying fried tomatoes is to serve them as a breakfast side dish alongside eggs and bacon.
- You can also use fried tomatoes as a topping for burgers or sandwiches to add a flavorful and crispy element.
- Fried green tomatoes, a Southern specialty, are made using unripe tomatoes and are often enjoyed with a tangy remoulade sauce.