Poached Eggs Over Fried Green Tomatoes With Crabmeat Hollandaise And Gouda Grits

When it comes to breakfast or brunch, there are a few things that can rival the mouth-watering combination of crispy fried green tomatoes, succulent crabmeat, rich hollandaise sauce, and perfectly poached eggs. And when it’s served on a bed of creamy gouda grits, you know you’re in for a real treat. In this article, we’re going to dive deep into the history, origin, and cooking techniques behind this ultimate Southern brunch delight. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

The Origin and History of Fried Green Tomatoes

Fried green tomatoes are a quintessential Southern dish that has been around for centuries. The dish was born out of necessity, as farmers used to pick unripe tomatoes at the end of the growing season to prevent them from going to waste. These green tomatoes were then sliced and fried to make a delicious side dish. Over time, fried green tomatoes became a popular dish in the South, and it’s now considered a staple in Southern cuisine.

The Secret to Perfectly Fried Green Tomatoes

While fried green tomatoes are relatively easy to make, there are a few tips and tricks to ensure that they come out crispy and delicious every time. First, you need to choose the right tomatoes. Look for firm, unripe tomatoes with a bright green color. Next, make sure to slice them thinly and evenly. Finally, use a mixture of cornmeal and flour to coat the tomatoes before frying them in hot oil until they’re golden brown.

The History and Origin of Crabmeat Hollandaise Sauce

Hollandaise sauce is a classic French sauce made with egg yolks, butter, and lemon juice. It’s typically served with poached eggs and is the perfect accompaniment to fried green tomatoes. However, the addition of crabmeat takes this sauce to a whole new level. The origins of crabmeat hollandaise sauce are unclear, but it’s believed to have originated in the Southern United States. The combination of rich hollandaise sauce and sweet crabmeat is a match made in heaven.

How to Make Perfect Poached Eggs Over Fried Green Tomatoes With Crabmeat Hollandaise And Gouda Grits

PREP TIME: 45 mins

COOK TIME: 45 mins

TOTAL TIME: 1 hour 30 mins

Serves: 2

Recipe by: George Graham

INGREDIENTS

Crabmeat Hollandaise

• 3 large egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
• Pinch of kosher salt
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• ½ cup white lump crabmeat

Fried Green Tomatoes

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup buttermilk
• Dash of hot sauce
• 2 cups yellow cornmeal
• 2 tablespoons Acadiana Table Cajun Seasoning Blend
• 1 cup peanut oil
• 2 large green tomatoes, sliced into 4 (1/2-inch-thick) rounds

Gouda Grits

• 2 cups packaged stone-ground grits
• Chicken stock
• 1 cup half and half, plus more if needed
• 1 cup grated smoked Gouda cheese
• Kosher salt
• White pepper
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Poached Eggs

• Water, for boiling
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 4 large eggs
• ½ cup diced green onion tops
• Fresh fruit, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

Crabmeat Hollandaise

1. In a blender container, add the egg yolks and lemon juice and pulse until the mixture quickly lightens in color and is combined.
2. Turn the blender to low, remove the cover, and slowly drizzle in the melted butter. Once the butter is combined and the sauce thickened, add a pinch of salt and cayenne to taste. Pour the sauce into a bowl, fold in the crabmeat, and gently stir to combine. Keep warm for serving.

Fried Green Tomatoes

1. Add the flour to a shallow bowl and blend in the cayenne.
2. In another bowl, whisk one egg with the buttermilk and a dash of hot sauce and set aside.
3. Blend the cornmeal with the Cajun seasoning in a shallow pan and set aside. In three different stations, line up the flour, egg mixture, and cornmeal.
4. In a cast-iron skillet over medium heat, add the peanut oil and bring it to 375ºF. Coat each tomato slice in flour and shake off the excess. Submerge into the egg mixture and place in the seasoned cornmeal breading. Pat firmly so the cornmeal sticks to each side of the tomatoes and moves to a wire rack. Gently add the breaded tomato slices to the hot oil making sure not to crowd the pan. Fry on one side until browned and turn once with a spatula and continue frying until golden brown, about 2 minutes on each side. Move the fried tomatoes back to the wire rack and season with sea salt immediately. Keep warm for serving.

Gouda Grits

1. Make the grits according to your package directions, but make sure to use chicken stock instead of water. Make the grits to a stiff consistency, and then add the half and half along with the cheese. Cook on low until the ingredients combine and reach a creamy consistency. Add more half-and-half if needed to keep the grits moist and creamy. Keep warm and add the grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese just before serving.

Poached Eggs

1. In a saucepan over high heat filled halfway with water, bring to a boil. Lower the heat so that the water is now at a simmer just below the boiling point. Add the vinegar to the water.
2. Crack one of the eggs into a small, shallow container and gently ease the egg into the water. Repeat quickly with the rest of the eggs. With a slotted spoon, move the egg whites closer to the yolks so that they stay together.
3. Cover and let cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until the egg whites are set.
4. With the slotted spoon, gently lift the eggs out of the pan and place them on a warm plate.
5. For serving, add two green tomatoes to a platter and top with poached eggs. Spoon the warm hollandaise over each egg and sprinkle with diced green onion tops. Add a bowl of grits sprinkled with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and garnish with fresh fruit.