Southern-style Tomatoes

21/2 teaspoons brown sugar

4 teaspoons flour

21/2 cups quartered tomatoes, peeled

1 teaspoon salt

4 teaspoons butter

1 teaspoon bacon drippings

1 teaspoon onion, minced

Pepper to taste

Topping

1/2 cup bread crumbs

1/2 cup cheddar cheese

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

In a saucepan, mix the brown sugar with the flour and then add the tomatoes, salt, butter, bacon drippings and onion; simmer 10 minutes.

Place the mixture in a casserole dish and top with the bread crumbs and cheddar cheese and bake 6 to 8 minutes until lightly browned and cheese is melted. Serve as a side dish.

Serves four.

Chef Diana "Lady Dee" Davenport, Mint Julep Bistro, Palatine