I finally did it! I convinced Sarah to stick around a while longer so she can share her awesomeness (it is a word according to Jack Black) with us! So now when you see posts by Sarah, you will know who she is! Take it away, Sarah!
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Baked Sweet Potato Fries & My Favorite Dipping Sauces
I had the best of intentions – breastfeed for a year, homemade baby food, no juice, little sugar. My baby would be a beacon to bad eaters everywhere. Yet despite all of my hard work, I found myself repeatedly beating my head against the highchair tray. As embarrassing as it is to admit it, my 2-year-old’s diet essentially consists of meatballs, cheese puffs, and sweet potato fries. If I’m eating sweet potato fries for every meal, they’d better be good.
Start with 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes. Peel and cut into sticks. Toss with olive oil and parmesan cheese (yes, the powdery stuff your mom always used in the 80’s). It’ll stick to the outside and form a nice, buttery crust.
Spread the sticks out on a foil-lined pan and bake at 425 degrees for 25-30 minutes. You’ll want to flip them every ten minutes or so. When some of the tips start to brown you’ll know they’re ready for the show.
Now for the dipping sauces.
I know that ketchup sometimes occupies an entire food group for these little kiddos but you can do a little better than that. Of all the Canadian clichés out there this one holds true – they love their ketchup. So naturally I discovered this gem featured in a little snack shack in the Canadian Rockies. It’s simple, gourmet, and the curry powder will actually make your ketchup healthier. (No seriously, curry powder is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and can protect against Alzheimer’s and certain cancers. So take that, two-year-old!)
I start by mixing about a teaspoon of curry powder into a quarter cup of ketchup. You can always add from there. The ketchup masks much of the flavor so you’ll need more curry powder than you think.
And here’s one for mommy and daddy – pesto and mayo.
So simple it’s almost a joke. But this is no joke, just amazing. The very first sweet potato fry to ever enter my mouth was dipped in this combo. I was in a little restaurant owned by my uncle’s ex-wife’s husband (referred to by my uncle as his “husband-in-law” because he loves the guy so much.) Yes, my family is complicated but that doesn’t mean my food has to be. I go with a 1:1 ratio with this stuff.
I like to buy my pesto in bulk at Costco in the deli section. It browns quickly in the refrigerator so I divide it up into little freezer bags. Then I lay them out flat and freeze. Whenever I need a bit of flavor I’ll break off a little piece. It is perfect for sandwiches, scrambled eggs, pizza, even to flavor up jarred spaghetti sauce in a pinch.
These fries really are versatile and can be served with all kinds of sauces.
What are your favorite dipping sauces?
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Ingredients
- 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes
- Olive oil
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Start with 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes. Peel and cut into sticks. Toss with olive oil and parmesan cheese (yes, the powdery stuff your mom always used in the 80’s). It’ll stick to the outside and form a nice, buttery crust.
- Spread the sticks out on a foil-lined pan and bake at 425 degrees for 25-30 minutes. You’ll want to flip them every ten minutes or so. When some of the tips start to brown you’ll know they’re ready for the show.
- Serve with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce
Another interestingly, appealing, want to try it RIGHT now combination. And your idea for the pesto is going to save me! Why did I not think of that? Thanks again, Sarah – can’t wait until next time!
alysha says
Oooh I love trying new dipping sauces. These both look amazing! Thank you for sharing!
Nesleirbag says
Ordinary things mixed and presented in an unordinary way – that’s your gift, Sarah! Great post and now I have to try that pesto idea!
Andrea says
We love ours dipped in barbecue sauce and ranch (equal parts). So good! I might just have to make some for lunch now!
stephanie says
We love sweet potato fries and chips at our house too.
Danielle D. says
Yum! We love sweet potato fries and new dipping sauces! My husband mixes ketchup, mayo, Worcestershire sauce and pepper together. We will have to try these out!
Marne says
I like to freeze pesto in ice cube trays. Once frozen, I pop them out and put all the frozen cubes in a gallon ziploc bag. It is great for portion sizes for those little things…like dipping sauce!
stacy says
I love sweet potato fries! These dipping sauces sound delicious…I am going to try them! Thanks for the fun post!
Lindsey says
I love sweet potato fries and these dipping sauces sound great! I also love to mix ketchup and wassabi, best ever 🙂
Kay says
I love the idea of freezing the Costco pesto. Thank you so much for sharing. We love sweet potato fries, too. I mix mayo with lemon juice and a little bit of garlic (also from Costco- in the jar, pre-minced) for a dipping sauce. It is so yummy. Those fries look so delicious! I’ll have try them with the Parmesan cheese.
Do {Piggy Bank Parties} says
My favorite sweet potato fry dippin’ sauce was inspired by a sauce we had at an upscale burger joint. It’s a mixture of mayo (your choice but I use Helmen’s light), ketchup and hot sauce. It’s almost thousand island but with a lil’ kick! I can’t handle a lot of spicy food–my eyes water, etc.–but I love this stuff!
Emily says
That pesto tip just changed my life. I love the stuff, but always end up throwing half away so I never buy it. In fact, just today I had it in my hand and decided against it. Hooray for pesto being back in my cooking repertoire!!
Kristie says
I like pesto mixed with ranch dressing 1:1 ratio. YUMMY! Thanks for the sweet potato fry recipe I will be dipping tonight!
Monica says
YUM! Thanks so much for this…I love sweet potato fries! :o)
Lara says
oh gosh.. headed to the grocery store for sweet potatoes. We LOVE sweet potato fries at our house!!! But I always buy them frozen cause I didn’t know how to make them.
Ya know what else makes a delicious sauce for dipping? BBQ sauce and Mayo. Seriously NOT healthy. But it is pretty darn good. Now I’m going to have to try your sauces. YUMMY!
Joan says
Who knew sweet potato fries could be so easy! Great post as usual Sarah and Missy!
Leslie L. says
Great post! Those look yummy and that little boy is totally adorable!! 🙂
Sarah says
I’m going to have to try the ketchup and wassabi idea. That sounds amazing. Crazy, but amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Patricia Mickelsen says
Thanks for the great ideas! I love sauces – I’ve been known to eat things I don’t even like when I have enough delicious sauce!
Jill Jackson says
Those do sound great! I’ll definitely be trying out those different sauces!!
caryn says
We dip ours in plain, non-fat yogurt mixed with chopped cilantro, cumin, garlic, lime juice and salt. YUM!
angie says
This looks so delicious. I love the idea of Parmesan! I will have to try it the next time I make sweet potato fries and the curry ketchup sounds delish!
MP says
LOVE sweet potato fries though no one else in my household will eat them–they’re so healthy. Try roasting them with grapeseed oil for even greater benefits!
Teresa Walker says
Great ideas. Can’t wait to try.
marla says
LOVE YOUR SITE…AMAZING STUFF….I AM A MOMMY TO 2 TEENS AND 2 LITTLE ONES 6 & 4 YRS OLD.. I ALSO RUN A FULL TIME COMPANY…SELF EMPLOYED. THERE IS ALWAYS STUFF ON HERE FOR ME TO USE OR PIN. LOVE IT! THANKS
help4newmoms says
I have been searching far and wide for an easy sweet potato fry recipe! Love the dip idea, too.