Sweet Potato Fries

It used to be that you could only find sweet potatoes in the fall and winter, but know you can find them year round in most super markets! I love sweet potatoes! Just don't give them to me with marshmallows on top, for some reason that flavor doesn't appeal to me. At Thanksgiving if we are at someone else'  house I just wait patiently for some child to serve themselves the marshmallows on top, then I will swoop in and take the sweet potatoes left behind. To me it's a win-win situation!
Today I am sharing my sweet potato fry recipe, this uses more savory spices, and compliments the sweetness of the potatoes.

Baked Sweet Potato Fries
About 2 lbs. sweet potatoes
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/8 teaspoon ground Black Pepper
1/8 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/8 teaspoon Onion Powder
1/2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika


Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a large baking dish with oil.  Cut sweet potatoes into fries. I like mine a bit bigger than 1/4" thick. It is your choice on to peel or not. In a plastic bag combine oil and spices. and squish it around to mix well. Add potatoes to bag then squish and jiggle bag until fries are well coated. Spread fries on baking sheet, trying not to let them touch. Bake for 20 minutes or until fries are browned and tender, turning once at about the half way point.






Sometimes, I like to dip mine in a cinnamon honey butter, here is my recipe.





Cinnamon Honey Butter
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup honey

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Melt together and stir. Recipe can be double easily. It is also great with a little vanilla added.

Sourdough Cheddar Salsa Bread

Sourdough Cheddar Salsa Bread

     1 cup "fed" sourdough starter

3/4  cups lukewarm water
3/4 cup salsa 
3/4 cup cheddar cheese 2 teaspoons instant yeast
2 teaspoons salt 5 cups flour  (I like unbleached white best for this recipe)                                 
1/2 cup cheddar cheese for top
jalapeno slices for top                                                     

Directions 

Combine all of the ingredients except for the top cheese and jalapenos, kneading to form a smooth dough. You might need to add more water or flour depending on the consistency of your starter.

Allow the dough to rise, in a covered bowl, until it's doubled in size, about 90 minutes.

Divide the dough in half; it'll deflate somewhat.

Shape the dough gently into two oval loaves; Place the loaves on a lightly greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise about 1 hour. Towards the end of the rising time preheat the oven to 425°F.

Spray the loaves with lukewarm water. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheddar cheese and decorate with a few jalapeno slices.

With a serrated bread knife or bread lame, make two or three  fairly deep slashes in each loaf.

Bake the bread for 25 to 30 minutes, until it's a very deep golden brown. Remove it from the oven, and cool on a rack.

Rustic Sourdough Bread

This is the recipe I use the most often for just basic sourdough bread. It is my most requested bread. I will often use this recipe for the base of other recipes.

King Arthur Flour's
Rustic Sourdough Bread

1 cup "fed" sourdough starter

1 1/2 cups lukewarm water

2 teaspoons yeast

1 tablespoon sugar

2 1/2 teaspoons salt

5 cups flour

 

1) Combine all of the ingredients, kneading to form a smooth dough.

2) Allow the dough to rise, in a covered bowl, until it's doubled in size, about 90 minutes.

3) Gently divide the dough in half; it'll deflate somewhat.

4) Gently shape the dough into two oval loaves; or, for longer loaves, two 10" to 11" logs. Place the loaves on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise until very puffy, about 1 hour. Towards the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 425°F.

5) Spray the loaves with lukewarm water.

6) Make two fairly deep diagonal slashes in each; a serrated bread knife, wielded firmly, works well here.

7) Bake the bread for 25 to 30 minutes, until it's a very deep golden brown. Remove it from the oven, and cool on a rack. For more trusted sourdough recipes: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/sourdough