Party Bites, Part 1: Spiced Sweet Potato Fries

Ahhh it's good to be back. Please excuse the long absence- I promise I've been spending a large part of it daydreaming about the recipes I want to make and showcase on The Tasting Table. With Memorial Day weekend and graduation season looming, you may be wondering how you can stay healthy and prevent putting on the 'party pounds'. Well, have no fear, I have a few great recipes for healthy and delicious "Party Bites".

The first recipe in our "Party Bites" series is Spiced Sweet Potato Fries.

Not only are these flavorful fries delicious, you can really make them your own. Consider my spice mixture below as a tried and true suggestion and feel free to experiment with each batch of fries you make. And, trust me, you will make multiple batches. Need another reason to try out this recipe? Chock full of vitamins A, C, and B6, as well as a healthy serving of fiber, Spiced Sweet Potato Fries pack a healthy punch. So next time you are stuck between the french onion dip and the brownies, think about bringing some Spiced Sweet Potato Fries to impress your friends and family.

Want to really impress your friends and family? Instead of serving these fries with ketchup, try dipping them in mango chutney. Trust me, you will love the combo, and so will your fellow party-goers.

Materials

2 large sweet potatoes
1 T canola or vegetable oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp chili pepper
1/4 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp ground ginger

Method


1. Preheat oven to 450F. Place a baking sheet in the middle rack of the oven, allowing to come to temperature.
Preheating the pan helps to make the fries nice and crispy on the outside. 


2. Cut the ends off the sweet potatoes and slice each in half vertically. Slice each half vertically into quarters and cut these quarters into 1/4" fries.

3. Place the cut sweet potatoes into a mixing bowl and coat with the canola oil. Add spices and mix together with your hands, ensuring that the fries are evenly coated.
Alternatively, you can place all ingredients in a plastic bag and mix them together.

3. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and coat with cooking spray. Quickly place the fries on the sheet in a SINGLE LAYER.

4. Bake for about 25 minutes, turning once after about 12 minutes. The fries should be golden brown on the edges and just a bit crispy.
The cooking time will vary if you choose to make larger or smaller fries. 

Bon appetit!