Recipes for Sweet Potato Fries

Just the idea of giving up fries is depressing. However, when you find the calories from that binge eating episode have landed at your hips, you might be motivated to give them up. However, being on a diet should not mean giving up the foods you love.

My solution is to replace the objectionable foods with healthier alternatives and better cooking methods. If you can't do that, then make them an occasional treat to yourself. But it is more than just those who are battling the bulge that need to give up fries.

For people who are diabetics with cholesterol problems, both the potato and the frying pose a problem. Which is why, fries made of these potatoes offer the perfect solution. However, if calories are a concern, you can always bake them. Granted, they aren't exactly the same as regular fries, but most people love them nonetheless.

The nutrition information will tell you that these fries are healthier than regular French fries as they are high in fiber and Vitamin A. Also, if you are making them at home, they won't be deep-fried in hydrogenated vegetable oil, which is a huge bonus. Here are some ways to make sweet potato fries.

Ingredients

• 2 large sweet potatoes (about 3 pounds in all)
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 quarts vegetable oil
• Pinch cayenne
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• Pinch cinnamon

Directions

To cook sweet potatoes, boil them in a covered pot of water for 10 minutes. Cool, peel and slice into ¼''x¼'' thick strips. Heat oil over medium-low heat in a pot or Dutch oven fitted with a thermometer, until the thermometer goes to 300°F. Raise the heat to medium-high and ease in the fries, a handful at a time, to the pot.

Be careful that the oil does not splutter onto you. As the begin to fry, keep turning them, so they get cooked on all sides, and turn soft and limp and begin to brown.

Take them out using a slotted spoon, and transfer them to paper towels. In a large bowl mix together the brown sugar, salt, cayenne and cinnamon in a large bowl. Add the fries and toss to coat. Serve hot.

Ingredients

• 5 sweet potatoes
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil leaves
• ¾ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Heat the oven to 400°F. Slice the potato into about 1''x5'' fries, coat with olive oil and place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for about 45 minutes, until golden brown (turn halfway through). Mix together the basil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. In a separate dip bowl, mix the mayonnaise, garlic, and lemon juice. When the fries are done take them out of the oven and sprinkle them with the basil salt while hot, and serve with the garlic mayonnaise dip.

Ingredients

• 2 large (about 1½ pounds) sweet potatoes
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ teaspoon paprika

Directions

Heat the oven to 400°F. Combine the cumin, salt, and paprika in a bowl and set aside. Peel each potato and then cut it into two halves lengthwise. Slice each half into 6 wedges. Transfer the wedges to a large bowl and add in the oil and spice mixture. Toss to coat potatoes, and transfer to baking sheet, in a single layer. Place on the middle shelf of the oven and bake for about 30 minutes. When ready, edges should be crisp and potatoes cooked through.

Pick a fries recipe based on whether you have a palate for the bland or flavorful. Experiment with seasoning and come up with your own original sweet potato fries recipe!