CorningWare is holding a light-recipe contest in honor of its new SimplyLite bakeware collection.

While we love checking out amateur cook-offs, the award-winning recipes are often staggeringly high in calories and fat — especially with the current everything’s-better-with-bacon-trend. So we were pleased to see the CorningWare SimplyLite Recipe Contest calling for lowfat, low-calorie recipes that can be made in CorningWare’s new SimplyLite bakeware collection, which is 50 percent lighter than traditional ceramic dishes.

The deadline to submit an original recipe for a chance to win the $5,000 grand prize is Dec. 31, 2009. Five runners-up win 10-piece sets of SimplyLite bakeware.

The six finalists’ recipes will be prepared and judged at  The Institute of Culinary Education in New York City on Jan. 13. The prizes will be mailed to the winners. Contestants can use any baking pan, but recipes should be able to be prepared in a 1½-quart, 2-quart, 2½-quart or 3-quart baking dish, and contestants must use ingredients that are judged to be low in fat and calories. The bake-off is to celebrate the launch of the SimplyLite collection, which is made of lightweight Vitrelle glass laminate. The dishes (from $19.99 each; sets from $39.99) are designed to be easier to handle during removal from a hot oven and when passed around the table.

In a world of recipes in the vein (or is it clogged artery?) of the Bacon Explosion or McNuggetini, we’re happy to see a contest that encourages lighter fare.  What’s your favorite healthful recipe?

Tags: Bacon, Breakfast foods, British cuisine, Charcuterie, Cookware and bakeware, CorningWare, Food and drink, Garde manger, Hospitality/Recreation, Institute of Culinary Education, Irish cuisine, New York City, recipe, The Institute of Culinary Education, USD