Pimento Cheese and Fried Green Tomato Grilled Cheese

Take your grilled cheese to the next level with the Southern-inspired combo of tangy pimento cheese and crispy fried green tomatoes. This comforting twist on a classic is perfect for pairing with a chilled glass of Day 13 wine from your All Red Wine Advent calendar.

Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 4 slices sourdough bread
• Butter
• 8 green tomatoes (sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds)
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup pimento cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 egg (beaten)
• 1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk)
• Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil works best)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the fried green tomatoes: In a shallow bowl, whisk together flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg and buttermilk together. Dip each green tomato slice into the egg mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated, then dredge in the flour mixture. Make sure each slice is evenly coated with the flour. Heat oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat (enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan). Once the oil is hot (you can test by dropping in a small amount of flour—it should sizzle), add the breaded tomato slices in batches. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Transfer the fried tomatoes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
2. Assemble the grilled cheese: Butter one side of each slice of sourdough bread. Flip the bread over and spread pimento cheese on the other side of each slice. On two slices of bread, layer 2 fried green tomatoes each. Season with salt and pepper to taste. For extra cheesiness, you can add more pimento cheese between the tomato slices.
3. Grill the sandwiches: Top with the remaining slices of bread, buttered side facing out. Carefully place the sandwiches in the hot skillet and grill, pressing down lightly, until the bread is golden brown and crispy. Flip the sandwiches over and cook the other side until the bread is toasted and the cheese has melted.
4. Serve: Remove the sandwiches from the skillet and cut them in half. Serve warm, and enjoy the delicious layers of crispy fried tomatoes, gooey cheese, and buttery bread.

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