Oven-Fried Foods
1. Eggplant Parmesan Sandwiches
2. Salty Rosemary Fries
3. Buttermilk Oven-Fried Chicken
4. Spicy "Fried" Catfish With Lemon Cream
5. Coconut-Pecan Shrimp With Orange Dipping Sauce

I don't know a soul who doesn't love fried foods. But the fat used in this cooking technique makes it less than healthy. Luckily, you can enjoy the same taste without all the fat by frying in the oven. Start with a coating, such as dry breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs (crunchy, flaky crumbs available in Asian markets), and a small amount of oil or cooking spray. For maximum crunch, arrange food on a rack inside a pan. With this technique and our terrific recipes, you can indulge your fried food cravings.

above, left: Serve Spicy Fried Catfish With Lemon Cream alongside fluffy rice and your favorite veggie. above, right: Oven-fried eggplant is perfect for our Eggplant Parmesan Sandwiches or as a side dish.

"Fried Foods Without the Fat" is from the October 2003 issue of Southern Living.