Spicy Tomato Soup with Fried Green Tomatoes
I have been wanting to post this recipe for some time now. However, when I started to write, I got completely sidetracked with thoughts of Idgie Thredgoode, Ruth, Big George, Whistle Stop, Alabama and of course TOWANDA. Then I was downloading the movie and watching it before continuing on with my post. If you are completely lost by these names then you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing one of the greatest movies of the 90′s; Fried Green Tomatoes. And, you are missing out. Seriously, go watch it. Now.
I think everyone who has seen Fried Green Tomatoes has been tempted to try their hand at this American Southern classic food. I know I always have. Usually served as a side dish, fried green tomatoes take center stage in this dish. Even though fried green tomatoes evoke thoughts and feelings of summer, paired with a velvety tomato soup it’s a wonderful winter comfort food. The crunchy texture of the cornmeal covered tomato against the smooth and silky tomato soup is a perfect match and may have you put aside the usual grilled cheese that normally accompanies your tomato soup.
Green tomatoes may seem like just another fruit that failed to rippen but to most chefs and home cooks, green tomatoes open up an whole world of opportunity. With their piquant taste and epicurean diversity, they may be one of the most over looked foods out there.
Make sure to serve a plate of these alongside the soup so you can constantly dip them in!
Ingredients
For Fried Green Tomatoes
4 green tomatoes, sliced in 1/2 inch rounds
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour, divided
3/4 cup cornmeal
2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons paprika
Vegetable oil for frying
For Soup
3 pound of tomatoes (I like to use a mixture of heirloom, cherry and plum tomatoes)
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon sugar
2 chiles, chopped (remove seeds if you do not like it too spicy)
2 cups chicken stock
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
For Fried Green Tomatoes
Heat about 1/4 inch of oil in a heavy skillet to 375F.
In a small mixing bowl combine beaten egg and buttermilk and set aside.
In a shallow mixing bowl or plate combine 1/4 flour, cornmeal, salt and pepper.
Dredge tomato slices in remaining 1/4 flour then dip in egg mixture and then dredge in cornmeal mixture.
Fry tomatoes in batches in hot oil, and cook turning once until each side is golden, about 2 1/2 minutes per side.
Drain tomatoes on a paper towel.
For Soup
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Place tomatoes on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with some olive oil and salt and pepper.
Roast tomatoes about 30- 35 minutes.
Remove tomatoes from oven and set aside.
In a large saucepan, heat olive oil and add diced onion, garlic, ground coriander, sugar and chilies and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are tender and translucent.
Add tomatoes and their juices to saucepan and toss to coat.
Add chicken stock, and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat, and simmer, about 15-20 minutes.
Ina blender, puree the soup until smooth, in batches.
Season with salt and pepper.
Serve soup topped with one fried green tomato.
Connect With Me
I loooove fried green tomatoes! This looks great with the soup. And I LOVE the movie. I cry just thinking about it!
I know!!! We should have a movie night and watch it!!
That movie is great! But I have neved had fried green tomatoes….
They are so good Yael! But then again everything fried is good lol. You should make them, super easy.
I remember seeing that movie when I was young, then a few years later my mom made these tomatoes for me to try. It’s been forever since I last had them and I now have a sudden craving
and a bowl of the soup to go with sounds just right.
Oh… what a wonderful combination – a tomato festival! I love your presentation too. Truly beautiful… I’m salivating!
i love green tomatoes, pickled is my favorite!
I gotta look for that movie! sounds like a good one!
Where did you find the green tomatoes? Are they from that spell of bad weather a few weeks ago? Whenever the tomatoes in the markets start looking really bad, I think about trying to cook something with green tomatoes, but I haven’t tried yet.
YUM! I love this combination and I LOVE tomato soup!
I love fried green tomatoes (both the food AND the movie)! Never occurred to me to pair them with a tomato soup, but it sounds like it would be a match made in heaven. Brilliant.
Oh those tomatoes look amazing! I totally want one- DROOL!!
TOWANDA! I love that movie. I haven’t seen it in ages. This meal looks fantastic. I know we’ll be adding this to our soup night menu.
The movie title didn’t ring bell so I checked on Google and now I know! We have different movie title in Japanese (which I forgot) but I do remember this movie! Yes it’s such a great movie… I should watch it again. I’d love to try fried green tomatoes. Sounds amazing!
I definitely thought of the movie (and book) when I saw the title of your blog. I’ve never made or eaten them, though.
Green tomatoes are so hard by to come at my place and in fact, its seldom available at the supermarkets I frequent. I sure will love the fried version and that sure looks tempting.
I’ve been wanting to try making fried green tomatoes for ages. I’m headed to the Farmer’s market this morning and if they have some, I’m going to give it a try. Thanks for reminding me! This soup sounds delicious as well. I’m guessing you used a variety of colors in the different tomatoes as well? I can hardly wait for our garden to start producing now!!
Oh Beth..this is such a comfort to me! Look and sound sooo delicious! Great post sweetie!
I have never had fried green tomatoes, but I have always want to make them. After reading this I will have to give them a try. The green fried tomatoes and the tomato soup sounds like a perfect meal.
Thank you for stopping by my blog!!
Tomato soup is the ultimate comfort food for me. The fried green tomatoes put it over the top! I love that movie
Beth you have such amazing sounding/looking recipes! All that’s left for me to do is taste some of them! I love the idea of having the fried green tomato inside of the soup. It reminds me of toasted bread in French Onion soup, although I think yours is better suited for this creamy kind of soup. I’ll have to try it someday!
I have been whining lately about green tomatoes and the inability to find them. I will need to get some bribe money out to these local farmers I guess.
Not only do the green tomatoes look awesome, but the soup looks silky smooth. Great pairing! Holding this for when the farmers give in to my green tomato request. Hope you are enjoying the weekend!
Oh, wow! The fried green tomato totally makes this soup! Such a work of art….beautiful and delicious!
wait. i want this.
I love fried green tomatoes & tomato soup! Beautiful presentation & gorgeous photos!
I love fried green tomatoes! This is awesome, I never would have thought to top soup with them but it is a great idea that I will have to try next year when I have access to them!
what a creative soup!
DELISH! …and one of mine and Honey Bunny’s all-time favorite movies!
I have not seen that movie in AGES! It was definitely a good one. Those tomatoes look delicious and that soup is really a nice one. I like that you garnished it with a fried tomato!
I love this movie, and I love this soup! What a cleaver combination…brilliant!
I love tomato soup, but this more gourmet version looks SO much better! I love the spicy kick, and of course, the fried green tomato on top! Love the movie too, btw!
I’ve never had fried green tomatoes, but now that I live in the south, I probably should try them, right? I love that you serve them with tomato soup!
love this soup…and the movie
Oh my gosh what an awesome recipe! I love all the aspects and flavors that come together here. Definitely trying this one soon.
I love fried green tomatoes! They look amazing with soup. Wish I could fry some lunch today.
I made fried green tomatoes for the first time this summer and loved them. I’m really tempted by the idea of dipping them in soup now and I still haven’t seen the film. Must do something about that and soon!!
Both the soup and tomatoes soup so good! I’ve never had fried green tomatoes, but I really want to try them. I mean, they’re fried. How bad could they be?
I love the flavors in this soup! I also love the addition of the fried green tomatoes, double tomato-y goodness!
Oooh, I have never made this in the winter, but how smart is that to pair it with soup?? Love it!!
Can you believe I’ve never had fried green tomatoes! But with this spicy soup…. I have no reason to not try them! YUMMMMMMMMM!
I love, love, looooove fried green tomatoes. And putting them on top of tomato soup? Genius! I love this idea (and need to try it soon!).
GIRL, you had me at fried green tomato. My Southern little heart is BEATING with this recipe. Must make it!!
I love the movie and the food! Such a great idea to pair fried green tomatoes with a rich and velvety soup. Can’t wait to try this one.