Sweet Potato Tots with Dill Dust

I saw this on the Food Network while I was working out one day (why do I torture myself and watch food shows while working out?!).  I really like dill so I thought I'd try it for our Super Bowl gathering.  I cut the amount of Kosher salt that was called for in the dill dust and it was still WAY too much.  Other than that, this is a good recipe.  Next time, I would put maybe a couple teaspoons of Kosher salt and more dill.

Ingredients - Dill Dust:

1 bunch dill, roughly chopped

1-2 tsp Kosher Salt 

Ingredients - Sweet Potato

1 large sweet potato

Kosher Salt

1/3 cup flour

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

2 cups Safflower Oil

Directions:

For the Dill Dust - Heat oven to 250 degrees.  In a small food processor, blend dill and salt until it's finely ground.  Place mixture on sheet pan and bake until dried, about 30 minutes.

For the Potato - Fill pot with cold water and a little Kosher salt.  Place potato in water and let it come to a boil.  Boil for approximately 5 minutes, until you can insert a knife into the exterior of the potato but the inside is still firm.  

Remove potato from pot and place on cutting board to cool.  Once it's cool, peel the potato.  Cut into small / rough chunks and put in a large food processor.  Pulse the potato 10-15 times to make smaller chunks.  

In a small bowl, combine flour & pepper.  Slowly add that to food processor and pulse a couple of times to mix.  

Heat oil to 350 degrees.  Form potatoes into small balls and gently place a few at a time in the oil.  Fry the potatoes, turning a couple of times, until they are crispy & browned - about 2 minutes per side.  Remove from oil & place on paper towels.  Sprinkle a little of the dill dust over the potatoes as they come out of the oil & are still warm.  Continue frying in small batches until the potatoes are done.  

Enjoy!

Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Lime Mayo Dipping Sauce

We're on Spring Break this week with B and I should be cooking more since I have the time!  But, I wanted a fairly easy dinner tonight so I did my French Dip.  I have had this recipe from Epicurious for sweet potato fries for a few weeks and thought this would be a good meal to serve them with.  The dipping sauce was really good and would be great with not only these fries but also a Southwest theme meal or pulled pork...or anything!

Ingredients:
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into "fries"
2 tsp olive oil
Salt & Pepper

For Lime Sauce:
1/3 c light mayo
1/4 tsp finely grated lime zest
2 tsp fresh lime juice
Chopped cilantro (optional - I omitted)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees
In a large bowl, toss sweet potatoes, olive oil, salt & pepper to coat
Line baking sheet with aluminum foil and evenly place potatoes on it
Bake for 15 minutes, remove from oven and turn the potatoes.  Return to oven and cook another 10-15 minutes

Meanwhile combine lime sauce ingredients and keep chilly until you are ready to serve.  I also make a Cajun mayo dip by simply putting mayo and cajun spices in a small bowl and mixing.

French's French Fried Onion Chicken with Sweet Potato Fries and Roasted Parmesan Cauliflower

Last night I made French's french fried onion chicken along with baked sweet potato fries and roasted cauliflower.  The chicken has been around in our house for a while now but it's always a winner.  The others were done on a whim to get some healthier sides in the mix.  I've made sweet potato fries before but they were mushy.  I found a recipe here that I loosely followed & it explains how to keep them crispier (by par boiling the potatoes and using wire cooling racks to keep the potatoes off the cookie tray).  I think they'd be even better if I made them in the grill pan (but the grill was out of propane, so that will be next time!).  B didn't like the cauliflower but that's mainly because she didn't even try it.  I thought it was amazing & light.  It will be made again (& maybe adding some roasted pine nuts) so I hope she learns to try it!!  I also think that would be good on the grill as the recipe I found here was intended for the grill.

French's French Fried Onion Chicken
Ingredients:
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded slightly
1/2 cup milk (1 egg white works well too)
1/2 (6oz) container of French's French Fried Onions, crunched up

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Put milk in a shallow bowl & crunched up onions in another shallow bowl
Dip chicken in milk then in onions, covering both sides of chicken with onions
Place chicken in baking dish (sprayed with Pam)
Bake for about 33 minutes

Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients:
2 large sweet potatoes, sliced length wise into even slices
Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for drizzling
Kosher Salt
Pepper
Rosemary
Chili Powder

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Arrange cooling wire rack onto baking sheet
Place sliced potatoes in pot of cold, lightly salted water and bring to a boil.  Let boil for about 2-3 minutes
Drain potatoes and put in bowl.  Season potatoes with olive oil; salt; pepper; rosemary & chili powder, turn to coat evenly
Place potatoes on wire rack & bake for about 40-45 minutes, turning at least 1x

Roasted Parmesan Cauliflower
Ingredients:
1 medium head of cauliflower
Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for drizzling
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Kosher Salt
Pepper
1/4 cup Fresh grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Place cauliflower in bowl and season with olive oil; garlic; salt; pepper & lemon juice
Put in baking dish and bake for about 15 minutes
Immediately put Parmesan cheese over the cauliflower and serve