Recipe: Tony's at Home Tomato Crisps (deep fried red tomatoes)

TONY'S AT HOME TOMATO CRISPS

"This recipe, from Steve Konarik, catering chef at Tony's, is doubled easily. The crisps are best served immediately."

Oil for deep-frying
5 (3- to 4-inch-round) beefsteak tomatoes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup club soda
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Heat oil to 350 degrees F.

Cut tomatoes into 1/2-inch-thick slices.

In a large bowl, combine salt, pepper, flour, club soda, crushed red pepper, thyme and oregano. Whisk smooth, then rub batter on both sides of tomato slices, coating lightly.

Place a few tomato slices at a time in the hot oil and fry until brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

Place fried tomato slices on ungreased baking sheets and sprinkle with grated Parmesan.

Bake in a 250 degree F oven until golden brown on top, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from oven and turn over tomato slices. Sprinkle again with Parmesan and bake until golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes more. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.

Makes about 50 slices
From: CarolB,FL - 08-25-97