Smoky Sweet Potato Fries

Hola fellow WIAW-ers! Thanks Jenn for organizing this link-up!

I know I say it every week, but I can’t believe how fast this summer is going! I remember being a kid and never wanting to go back to school! I’d start to see the JC Penney commercials for new clothes and Target ads for new Jansport backpacks and get massive anxiety. It was always cool to get new stuff, but I was such a shy girl that thoughts of a new teacher and new kids, etc., just riddled me with a bad case a frazzled nerves.

(source)

This week has been monumental for me! My youngest daughter, Natalie, is gaining a newfound independence, allowing me a little extra time to myself to hit the gym and blog. I’m pretty much the perfect candidate for having kids, as far as my social life goes. I’ve always been kind of a loner, so I pretty much do the same things I did pre-babies. What I wasn’t used to is having to cater to two needy tots!

…make that three….

Let’s look at some food!

Breakfasts have, once again, been a lot of overnight oats and pancakes…

(Gluten-free buttermilk pancakes in picture)

Lunches are fairly routine….smoothies, cheese crisps, and fruit are all common…

Dinners have been pizza, salad, homemade Mexican food, and roasted veggies with goat cheese….

Vegetables have the best taste when they are roasted! Which brings me to today’s recipe! I know from reading a lot of other bloggers that sweet potatoes are a favorite among you! One funny chick even named her blog  for them! 😉

I think my favorite way (so far) to eat sweet potatoes is as fries. They don’t get as crisp as russet potato fries, but combined with a few spices, a little oil, and the right oven temp, they obtain a delectable, crunchy coating and a soft, creamy interior. Yum, yum!

 

SMOKY SWEET POTATO FRIES (for one :-))

1 medium sweet potato, cut into fries

2 t. grapeseed oil (or another high smoke point oil, such as avocado)

1/2 t. chili powder

1/4 t. + 1/8 t. salt

a few grinds of black pepper

scant 1/2 t. oregano

1/2 t. prepared mustard

Place the sweet potato wedges into a bowl of cold water, and let them soak for 30 minutes. Mix the oil and spices in a bowl. Preheat the oven to 430 degrees. Rinse, drain, and pat the potatoes dry. Mix the fries with the oil and spices. Use your hands to rub the mix all over each fry. Place them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake 20 minutes. Remove the pan, and flip the fries. Bake another 15-20 minutes until they are browned to your liking. Watch them carefully after 12 minutes to be sure they don’t burn.

The great thing about these is that they are so tasty on their own, they require no sauce or ketchup!

And now for a little teaser….

This single serve chocolate cake is made completely from oats, is low in both sugar and fat, and is one of the most delicious things I’ve ever eaten! I hope you’ll stop by Monday for the recipe!

What’s your favorite way to eat a sweet potato?

Anyone excited for school to resume?

Here in Tucson, we have a lot of ‘year round’ schools, so I think a lot of the kids are already back, but college starts up in a week or so!

This recipe is featured at The Veggie Nook with Gabby for the 5th installment of Healthy Vegan Fridays! Head over there to check out some delicious, vegan eats! 🙂