Baked green tomatoes are so delicious. We swap out the frumpy flour coating with a coating created with non-GMO Beanfields bean chips. We also trade the not-so-good process of frying with the healthier process of baking for a delicious recipe that sates your fried green tomato cravings.
What's So Bad about Fried Foods?
Several things are bad about fried foods, but taste isn't usually one of them. That's what makes them so dangerous. We often give in to the craving despite the bad-for-you cautions. While there's nothing wrong with a little fried food now and then, eating it regularly is not something you want to put on your bucket list.
That's because fried foods are typically associated with:
- Obesity and heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol
- Unhealthy oils and trans fat
- Loads of salt
- High calorie counts
Fried foods in fast-food restaurants may be even more hazardous to your health, as they tend to use hydrogenated oils that are high in trans fats. For the record, trans fats are known for raising "bad" cholesterol levels, contributing to heart disease and lowering "good" cholesterol levels. But fast food joints still opt for hydrogenated oils because they give food that satisfying crunch and taste.
Why Baked is Better
Baking beats out frying because it doesn't need unhealthy fats to make things crisp and delicious. Rather than sopping up tons of hydrogenated oil, baked food cooks using dry heat and the steam that rises from the moisture from the food. You still get a tasty, crisp treat, but without all the junk to gunk up your body.
Alternative for Flour Coating
Since we're already on a healthy path with our baked green tomatoes recipe, it only makes sense to make one more move that makes the dish healthier still. Get rid of the typical white flour coating. Eating too much white flour is also known for increasing "bad" cholesterol levels, which can then lead to a load of fun things like weight gain, high blood pressure and mood swings. It can also contribute to conditions like fatty liver. Not good.
The Healthy 'Fried' Green Tomatoes Substitute
Now that you have the skinny on the fat and other issues with the traditional fried green tomatoes recipe, you're going to love the healthy alternative.
Healthy 'Fried' Green Tomatoes
We use Beanfields chips for a flavorful, healthy coating, and baking to create the must-have crispy finish.
What You Need
3 green tomatoes, firm
1 bag Beanfields Pico de Gallo chips
1 egg
What You Do
- Place chips in food processor. Blend until consistency of a fine powder. Pour mixture onto a plate.
- Crack egg in wide bowl and scramble.
- Cut the tomatoes into thick and even slices.
- Coat tomatoes by dipping each into the egg, followed by the powdered chips.
- Place coated tomatoes on a lined baking tray.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes, or until coating becomes crispy and golden brown.
