Fried Green Tomato Grilled Cheese

From Life's Ambrosia.

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Serves: 4
• Yields: 4 sandwiches

Ingredients

• 3  medium green tomatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick
•  kosher  salt & fresh ground pepper
• 1⁄2 cup flour
• 2  large eggs, beaten
• 1  cup panko breadcrumbs
•  oil (for frying)
• 2  tablespoons butter, softened
• 8  slices  crusty  French bread
• 8  slices monterey jack pepper cheese

Directions

1. Season the green tomatoes liberally with salt and pepper on both sides.
2. Set up an assembly line with the flour, eggs and panko. Dip a tomato into the flour, then into the egg and then press into the panko until well coated. Set aside and repeat until all tomatoes are coated.
3. Heat 1 inch of oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Drop a couple of panko crumbs into the oil and once they sizzle the oil is hot enough. Fry the tomatoes in batches until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate and sprinkle with kosher salt. Repeat until all tomatoes are fried.
4. To assemble one sandwich: butter one side of 2 slices of bread, place one slice of cheese on the bread, place two tomatoes on top followed by another slice of cheese and the other slice of bread.
5. Place sandwich in non-stick pan over medium heat and cook until bread is golden and cheese is melted, 2 – 3 minutes on each side. Serve immediately.