What's For Dinner: Fried Rice Bowl, Arugula Salad And Bacon Apple Pie

(Pan)fry your way into the weekend

Not feeling inspired by your usual dishes? Here's what's for dinner.

Some think fried foods have a bad reputation, but we disagree. After all, we created a two-week holiday honoring fried chicken. But we get it—the idea of pouring a gallon of oil over an open flame doesn't seem like a healthy daily activity. Enter: panfrying, the Great Compromiser. It lends the crisp, browned goodness of fried food without making you venture elbow-deep into a pot of 350-degree oil. Turn Friday into Fry-day tonight.

① Appetizer: Fried Grape Salad with Hazelnuts and Blue Cheese

Fried food that counts as a salad? The Sussman brothers show us that dreams do come true, making us even more excited for the pair's new cookbook. This salad combines sweet fried grapes, tangy blue cheese and bitter greens.

② Main Course: Fried Rice Bowl with Savory Yogurt, Fried Onions and Pickled Chiles

One of the best parts about rice is the crispy, burned clumps that get stuck on the bottom of the pot. Though it usually gets thrown out, fried rice puts the crunchy bits center stage. Round it out with yogurt, onions and quick-pickled chiles for this satisfying bowl.

③ Dessert: Apple-Bacon Pie with Gingersnap Crust

Smoky crumbled bacon meets buttery streusel for an extra-special take on the classic American dessert. The bacon also completely justifies turning leftover slices into breakfast tomorrow (and maybe Sunday, too).