| Lighter Southern Recipes | |
Tips and healthy alternatives
It isn't easy, but there really are ways to lower the fat in traditional Southern recipes. Oven-frying using little or no oil will lower the fat dramatically, and simply cooking in fat at the right temperature can make a considerable difference in the amount of oil the food absorbs. Southern Fried Chicken and other deep-fried favorites might not be as authentic in texture and flavor, but the healthier alternatives can be very tasty. Bacon grease and salt pork are often used to flavor beans, greens and other Southern dishes, but lower-fat smoked turkey wings or legs can be substituted. You'll get the smoked flavor and fewer calories from fat. Using chicken breasts without the skin in dishes instead of whole fryers or dark meat will also make a big difference in some recipes, and be sure to remove the extra fat from the broth. Sure, fat makes food taste better, but so do herbs, spices, seasoning mixtures, marinades, butter-flavored sprays, and extra vegetables! Black Bean Salad Several recipes from PD105 |
