Recipe for Fried Green Tomato Caesar Salad inspired by "Peter's Original Caesar Salad" from Merriman's in Kauai.
I went on the most amazing trip to Hawaii in July!
It's been a month since I left for my trip, but I have been saving this post for the Recipe ReDux for the month of August. This month was for your 'Most Memorable Vacation Meal.'
So today, I am sharing a recipe for "Peter's Original Caesar Salad" from Merriman's Fish House in Kauai.
In all honesty, I didn't actually order the salad myself, but everyone else at my table did. Apparently, it's the best salad ever. And they were oh so very right. Fried green tomatoes, Caesar dressing, romaine lettuce - all very good things!
Since I was planning on having this week be a week of salad dressing recipes on the blog, I thought making this salad would be perfect idea.
The recipe for the Fried Green Tomato Caesar Salad is below, but I also included the recipes for the Caesar salad dressing and the fried green tomatoes separately in case you weren't in the mood to make the whole thing.
Both the fried green tomato recipe and the Caesar salad dressing recipes are healthier versions of the real deal.
The Caesar dressing uses tofu in place of the mayo and oil typically found in Caesar dressing. It is impossible to know tofu is even in your dressing. I've never had anyone accuse me of putting tofu in their dressing when I make this.
For the fried green tomatoes, I used whole wheat flour, added some flax meal for extra crunch + omega-3's, and didn't fry them. I just cook them in a small amount of oil. They still have a perfectly crispy crust and are delicious.
I recommend you trying the salad or one of these recipes soon!
Fried Green Tomato Caesar Salad
Ingredients
For the Caesar dressing
- 12 oz silken tofu patted dry
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 TBSP Dijon mustard
- 4-5 anchovy fillets patted dry
- 1 TBSP white wine vinegar
- 1 TBSP lemon zest {about 2 lemons}
- 3 TBSP lemon juice {about 1/2-1 lemon}
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
For the fried green tomatoes
- 3 medium green tomatoes sliced
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup whole grain flour divided
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup water or milk
- 1 tsp lemon juice or vinegar
- 1/3 cup cornmeal
- 1 TBSP flax meal
- 1/2 tsp salt-free all-purpose seasoning or Creole seasoning
- 2 TBSP avocado oil
For the salad
- romaine lettuce chopped
- freshly shaved Parmesan cheese
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
For the Caesar Salad Dressing
- Put everything in a high powered blender, and blend until it is completely smooth.
- Add more water, lemon juice, anchovies, and/or salt & pepper as desired
- Set aside {refrigerate} until ready to use.
For the Fried Green Tomatoes
- Place sliced tomatoes in a single layer on a paper towel. Sprinkle the salt over the tomatoes. Let sit at least 10 minutes.
- Set up 3 shallow bowls or plates: Put 1/4 cup whole wheat flour into one bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, and lemon juice. In the third bowl, stir together the remaining 1/4 cup whole wheat flour, corn meal, flax meal, and spice.
- Add a tomato slices to the flour. Coat the tomato slice in flour, shake excess off, and transfer them one-by-one to the egg wash. Dip in egg, shake off excess, and transfer to the cornmeal mixture. Coat the tomato slices in cornmeal, and shake off the excess. Set aside until ready to cook. Repeat the process for all tomato slices.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add 1 TBSP oil. Once the oil is hot, add breaded tomato slices to the pan. Cook until crispy and golden brown on each side {about 5-7 minutes per side}.
- Transfer "fried" green tomatoes to a paper towel lined plate.
- Wipe out skillet. Return skillet to the stove and heat oil over medium-high. Repeat process with remaining tomato slices.
- Sprinkle with a little extra salt if desired.
For the salad
- Put romaine lettuce on plate. Top with dressing, pepper, and cheese. Top with fried green tomatoes.
Notes
And now, I want to be back in Hawaii. {Confession: even though I came back July 29th, I still haven't changed my watch from Hawaii time. I want to be in amazing Kauai again...but checking my watch to see that it's 11 in the morning when it's really 4 in the afternoon is really starting the throw me off}
P.S. If you happen to be in Kauai, I highly recommend Merriman's!! The service was amazing; our waitress was so helpful & very accommodating. We sat inside but all the windows were open and the views are beautiful. Also, I love that all their food is from local vendors!
Min @ savortherainbow says
Hi, Meme! Oh, I miss Hawaii...I don't blame you for not changing the time ;). I LOVE the idea of using tofu in the dressing! So clever..and I happen to be obsessed with it! Yay for our first contribution as reduxers!
memeinge says
Thanks! Hawaii is so wonderful!! Never had a bad day 🙂
Danielle Omar - Food Confidence RD says
Your pictures are beautiful! So jealous of your vacation. The salad looks tasty and hearty...a great summer dinner!
memeinge says
Thanks! Kauai was absolutely amazing
I can't wait to try your margarita recipe!
Kat says
I haven't been to Hawaii yet, but in the meantime we are inundated with tomatoes in our New England garden that I can put to good use w/your recipe.
memeinge says
Oh I hope you get to try the fried green tomatoes; they're delicious 🙂
Serena says
Meme, LOVE this salad idea...perfect for all the green tomatoes in my garden. I'm interested to try using tofu in the dressing...and of course it's not Ceasar without anchovies. Your photo collage makes me feel like I was in Hawaii with you...I wish!
memeinge says
Thanks!! People are always skeptical when they see the anchovies but like you said, it wouldn't be Caesar without them
Michelle says
What a wonderful vacation! I love Hawaii. It's always so relaxing and peaceful. Looks like you had a great time too 🙂 Thanks for linking up this week to Creative Thursday. Have a wonderful week.
Michelle
memeinge says
Hawaii was so wonderful; I want to go back!!