Sweet Potato Oven Fries

Who doesn't like fries?

Exactly.

But most of us know that the McDonald's version doesn't hit very high on the health-o-meter.  Enter baked sweet potato fries.  Genius.  The additional health benefits of a sweet potato minus the negative affects of fried food.  Everyone's a winner.

I've had many, many versions of sweet potato fries in my time, but the fries served at my Williams-Sonoma class were the best ever.  Follow this recipe, and you may never be able to stomach McD's fries again.

Recipe:  (from Healthy in a Hurry - Williams-Sonoma)

orange-fleshed sweet-potatoes, 2 pounds (Since they are not peeled, use organic if possible.)
olive oil, 2 tablespoons
coarse sea salt, 1/4 teaspoon
Parmesan cheese, 3 tablespoons (freshly grated if possible)
fresh flat-leaf parsley, 2 tablespoons, chopped
garlic, 1 clove, minced*

Makes 6 servings.  Adjust accordingly for smaller amount of potatoes.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Scrub, rinse, and dry sweet potatoes; do not peel.  Cut lenghtwise into slices 1/2 inch thick, then cut each slice into batons about 1/4 inch wide and 3 inches long. (Those directions straight from the cookbook.  My Version: Cut the potato so it looks like fries.  You know what fries look like people.)

Pile potatoes on a large rimmed baking sheet and toss with olive oil and salt.  Spread in pan in a single layer.  Roast, stirring with heatproof spatula midway through baking time, until tender and edges are nicely browned, 20-25 minutes.

In a large bowl, stir together Parmesan, parsley, and garlic until well mixed.  Add fries and toss gently to coat.  Serve right away.

*The cookbook says 'if you're not a fan of raw garlic - feel free to omit' and obviously, you can.  But really, really consider giving it a try.  I think it was the best part.

Verdict:
If you've ever seen me eat fries (sweet potato or otherwise) or hamburgers or hotdogs or fish sticks or chicken nuggets, you probably realize that I pretty much view them as a socially acceptable vehicle for consuming massive amounts of ketchup.  I am a ketchup fiend.

In this case, ketchup would ruin the fries.  These are so, so, so damn good.  These will absolutely be a feature in my kitchen from now on.  I predict making this so often that someday I won't even need to check the cookbook.

When does grilling season get here?

As far as nutrition facts go, they are 180 calories per serving with 4 grams of protein, 31 grams of carbs, 5 grams of fat, no cholesterol, 5 grams of fiber, and 210 mg of sodium.

Sweet Potatoes are packed with beta-carotene and Vitamin A.  They are rich in fiber and potassium linked to heart health.  When paired with healthy fats, like the olive oil used here, the absorption of the nutrients is enhanced.  The parmesan cheese used brings in a source of calcium and, because it is so strongly flavored, you use much less than other cheese, thus reducing the overall fat and sodium.