In the kitchen

One of my favorite southern dishes has always been fried green tomatoes. (It's more than a chick flick, y'all.) These are just good eating, and summer without fried green tomatoes just doesn't feel right. However, frying isn't the healthiest way to cook anything. Inspired by The Hungry Girl's recipes for Cheese Sticks and Onion Rings, I decided to experiment and got lucky. These had the crispy crust and tender, juicy interior of the traditional version and a clearer, brighter tomato tanginess.

Oven Fried Green Tomatoes

1 large green tomato
1/8 cup Fiber One cereal
1/8 cup corn meal
1/4 cup fat-free Eggbeaters
Cooking Spray
Salt and Pepper to taste

Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees. In your food processor or blender, grind the Fiber One cereal to the consistency of bread crumbs. (I used a thoroughly clean coffee bean grinder.) Mix the cereal with the corn meal and set aside. Slice your tomato into 1/2 inch slices. Dip each tomato slice into the Eggbeaters, making sure to lightly coat each side. Then gently roll each tomato slice in the cereal/ corn meal mixture. Place the tomato slices on a baking sheet which has been sprayed with cooking spray, then lightly mist the tops of the tomatoes with additional cooking spray. Bake for 25 minutes. Turn the tomato slices over once about halfway through. This made six slices and the entire dish had 2 points.

I have to admit that I was just thrilled with the way this dish turned out. I feel like I've earned both my drawl and my waistline.

recipe