From The Grill Room, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

Ingredients:

1/4th inch slices of green tomato

1 cup flour, seasoned with salt and pepper

2 cups vegetable oil

Large shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 clove garlic, minced

Ripe Red Tomato, diced

1 Tbsp. butter

1/2 red onion, diced

1 Tbsp. basil leaves

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1/4th inch slices of mozzarella cheese

Make the relish first so the flavors can marry.  Combine the red tomato, onion, basil leaves, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste.  I used less than 1/2 the red onion, and twice the basil,  but just make it to your preference.  Set aside or chill.

Dredge the green tomato slices in flour seasoned with salt and pepper.  I left off “how much” of the tomato.  I made 2.5 large tomatoes, and that easily fed all 4 of us.  I wish I would have stuck to the 1/4th inch.  Too thick, and it’s too tart.  Too thin, and it’s greasy and floppy.  1 cup of flour would probably do it, but I like to “get my fry on” differently.  I dipped the tomatoes in egg white (whip it first), then I dredged it in flour.  I then dipped them in milk and dredged the in cornmeal mixed with breadcrumbs.  It’s messy, but worth the extra effort.  Fry in the vegetable oil (I use a cast iron skillet for my deep frying) until golden brown, then flip (a few minutes each side).  Drain on paper towels.

Season the shrimp.  I use sea salt, a little olive oil, and some lemon juice.  Buy raw shrimp, never pre-cooked.  Meijer sells a small bag of raw, deveined, and peeled.  Sara and Kelly can both take the tails off!   Cook for a few minutes, add the garlic and butter.  Cook for a minute more.

Place the tomato slices on a plate, place mozzarella slices on top, then the shrimp, and then the relish.

How to make your child your sous chef: Sara picks the basil.  Kelly eats the red tomato (she is our taste-tester).  Both girls take the tails off the shrimp.  We smell EVERYTHING.  As I flour, the girls each get a bit of flour and cornmeal.  They draw designs into it, make piles…and basically make a horrible mess.  I really don’t care as long as I get to cook.  They are off to play when it comes time for frying.  No girls are allowed near the stove.