It’s always great to have your cake and eat it too, both figuratively and literally. Seldom do dishes come along that offer comfort food taste with a sense of health consciousness.

Baked fish and chips is a modern and healthy take on a traditional English comfort dish. Deep-fried fish and chips may taste as British as English tea, but it has some rather unhealthy consequences.

In place of traditional flour, using Rice Krispy cereal for a healthier batter adds a nice base to the traditional dish.

This version fish and chips, which was adapted from foodnetwork.com, is cooked in the oven using a very creative alternative to batter with an Irish twist of Guinness lager. By baking the fish and chips, we preserve the healthy aspects that make fish— which is a great source of iron omega 3 fish oil—one of the best substances we can consume.

In addition, simply baking the potatoes preserves the nutrients naturally found in potatoes.

Use this recipe to help celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with a traditional dish in spirit of the holiday.

Baked Fish and chips

Servings: 4

Total cook time: 50 minutes

3 russet potatoes

¼ cup olive oil

Pinch cayenne pepper

Pinch of salt

2 ¾ cups Rice Krispy cereal

3 large egg whites

1 ½ pounds white cod

1 cup Guinness Lager

Preheat oven to 450 F, using both racks to incorporate the chips and fish.

Begin with prepping the potato wedges. Clean the potatoes and puncture each potato 12 to 14 times so they can cook thoroughly and not explode during the cooking process. Microwave the potatoes for 30 to 60 seconds to cook. Slice the potatoes in wedges and place in bowl of olive oil to soak. Remove from bowl and place on baking sheet to bake for 25-30 minutes depending on preference of crispiness.

Meanwhile, begin prepping the fish. Take a filet of cod and cut into two sections each about 2 inches wide and 4 inches long. Place aside and prepare batter.

Take a medium sized bowl and fill with 3 large egg whites. Add salt and pepper and mix thoroughly along with the cup of Guinness lager. Next, take the 3 ¼ cups of Rice Krispy cereal and crush into smaller pieces. Lay out completed batter on a plate and begin battering the fish.

Take one of the fillets and dip in the egg whites to coat thoroughly. Transfer the fillet to the plate of rice crispy and cover the fillet entirely in batter. Repeat process for the second fillet.

Once battered, place both fillets on a baking sheet, and salt and pepper both. Bake for approximately 12 minutes. Do not overcook, as the fish will become dry. Once finished, remove from oven and allow to cool. Remove potatoes from oven and allow to cool as well. For maximum flavor, serve with tartar sauce.

All in all, this take on fish and chips offers a healthy take on a tradition recipe with an Irish twist to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day. Stay away from the deep-fryer— it will help you live longer, and keep your taste buds happy while improving your health.

Cody Powell can be reached at [email protected]