Baking cookbooks anyone???

Hi everyone! For the month of October I made myself a mini goal to give up fried foods. It has actually been an amazing experience. I am amzed at the things I can bake that taste just like I fried it. Because of the success I have been having with it, and the joy it brings me to know that I am making better choices for my family as well, I want to continue it. The problem is I am running out of things to cook. I haven't been able to locate a baking cookbook that isn't all about cakes and cookies. Can anyone be of any help with this? Thanks again You guys are the BEST and an INSPIRATION!! Cam

Hi Cam, Go****hink it's been my whole life that I haven't fried foods!!!! I could never stomach the taste of fried anything. It was far too heavy for my stomach. What kind of foods do you like?? I can try to help you out with the types of things that I make for my family if that would help you. As far as foods that should be fried but can be baked I would say chicken, eggplants, meatballs....what else do people fry????????????? See, I have no idea. LOL I'll help out in any way I can. Donna

Hi Donna OMG NEVER any fried foods??!!! You didn't grow in the south lol. I'm from Mississippi and if it once walked, we fry it lol. I know about fish and chicken they are delicious baked. I guess I'm looking for any recipe you have. I'm using this time as an opportunity to try some new things. I'm not one for stepping outside my comfort zone much, but it's been fun. You are so helpful thank you!! Cam

Hi Cam, LOL I am still laughing here at "if it walked we fry it." Too funny. No, I am a Yankee through and through. Grew up in Connecticut and now live in NY. I am Italian, however, and those Italians like to fry stuff a lot too, but we really never did. My mother was always on a diet!!! She used to cry chicken cutlets for chicken parmigiana, and that's about it. Now she even bakes that. I guess rule of thumb is prepare it the same way you would to fry it, and stick it in the over with a little cooking spray at the bottom so it doesn't stick and a little bit of either olive or canola oil sprinkled over it. Now, LOL, this of course does NOT apply to most things that need to be slathered in batter. I doubt highly that it would cook through and the breading would be kinda nasty. If you are doing chicken or something similar, you can egg it and then coat it with whatever, then bake it. Pan frying isn't that bad for things like fish, as long as it's not DEEP fried. Again, use a canola or olive oil, something that is good. Gosh, NO vegetable or corn oil. The thought alone makes me shudder!!!! Good luck!!! Donna