Chicken-Fried Everything

CHICKEN-FRIED SAUSAGE AND CHEESE BISCUITS

Makes 8

Vegetable or canola oil, for frying
1 (16-ounce) package ground pork sausage, slightly frozen
Basic Dredge (recipe follows)
2 cups whole buttermilk
8 baked biscuits, halved
8 slices American cheese
16 thin tomato slices

1. In a large Dutch oven, pour oil to fill halfway, and heat over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350°. Spray a wire rack with cooking spray.

2. Slice sausage into 8 (½-inch-thick) patties; flatten slightly.

3. In a shallow dish, place Basic Dredge. In a shallow bowl, place buttermilk. Working in batches, dredge sausage patties in Basic Dredge, shaking off excess. Dip in buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge in Basic Dredge, gently pressing to adhere. Place on prepared rack.

Working in batches, fry sausage patties, turning occasionally,