Sweet Potato Fries

Blog Post

I'm a sweet potato fry addict. While deep fried fries probably aren't the best for my waistline, this baked version is keeps those calories in check without missing out on the flavor. I paired these with (512) Brewing's One. The one is a Belgian-style strong ale that is amber in color, with a light to medium body. Subtle malt sweetness is balanced with noticeable hop flavor, light raisin and mildly spicy, cake-like flavors, and is finished with local wildflower honey aromas. Made with 80% Organic Malted Barley, Belgian Specialty grains, Forbidden Fruit yeast, domestic hops and Good Flow local wildflower honey, this beer is deceptively high in alcohol. The sweetness from the honey complements the sweetness of the fries, and the spices in both beer and fries are nicely balanced. The beer is bold enough for the fries yet not over powering. Perfect.

Misohungry's Baked Sweet Potato fries:

I'd say that this recipe makes 8-10 servings, but that isn't really true. I could eat them all in a single serving. This recipe makes a single MisoHungry sized serving.

Ingredients:

	3-4 lbs sweet potatoes, washed, and cut into fries. Thick fries are okay.
	1/2 teaspoon sea salt
	1/2 teaspoon chili powder (for that link of smoke)
	1 teaspoon cinnamon
	1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (more if you like it spicy, less if you're a wimp)
	1/3 cup olive oil

Hardware:

	large cooking pans (line with foil for easier clean up)
	microwave safe plate
	large stainless steel bowl
	Cutting board and knife (for cutting fries)

Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees. Microwave the raw fries for about 4-5 minutes. They should be partially cooked, and you will most like have to do this in batches. I microwave my fries first because sweet potatoes take incredibly long to cook. If you are opposed to microwaving fries, I have alternative instructions below. Once all the fries are partially cooked, put them into the large stainless steel bowl along with the spices and salt. Toss around with your hands, tongs, or by flipping the bowl upwards like you would flip pancakes without using a spatula. Once completely coated with spices, add the olive oil and toss again. Once coated with olive oil and spices, place fries on a cooking pan in a single layer. Bake at 425 degrees for approximately 25 minutes. The outside should be slightly browned and crispy. The inside of the fries should be soft and cooked thoroughly. Remove from oven and serve immediately.

Non-Microwave version - Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Once raw fries have been tossed with spices, salt, and olive oil, place fries on a cooking pan and bake. Bake at this temperature for about 30-35 minutes. Then increase the temperature to 425 degrees and bake for another 20-25 minutes.

Tips: If I'm feeling really pressed for time, I sometimes pan fry these lightly. Older fries can also be brought back to life with five minutes in a 350 degree oven.