Sweet Potato Fries

I love these fries. My husband loves these fries. My daughter does not. They are too spicy for her. Not only do these fries taste good, they are simple to prepare. The longest part is peeling and cutting the sweet potatoes into shoestring, uniform pieces. One of those fancy potato cutters would take care of that problem in no time. The recipe is adapted from from Janet and Greta Podleski's Crazy Plates book, so they are healthy too.

Ingredients:

4 medium sweet potatoes
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 F. Line baking pan with tin foil. Brush with olive oil or non-stick spray.
2. Slice potatoes into shoestring French fry shapes. Toss with olive oil in a large bowl.
   
3. In a small bowl, mix remaining ingredients together. Add the spice mixture to the potatoes and stir until the potatoes are evenly covered.
4. Arrange the fries in a single layer on pan. Bake for 25 minutes. Flip the fries halfway through cooking.
   

Inspiration: My Yammy Spice recipe, pg 143 in Crazy Plates

Curry Maple Glaze Chicken

The free magazine from the Longo's grocery store had a recipe for making Cornish Hens two-ways. I tried both recipes on chicken chicken leg quarters. This one was a hit. I've made it again and again. But never with Cornish Hens.

Ingredients:

1-2 pounds chicken (leg quarters, chicken thighs, chicken breasts, whole)
1/3 maple syrup
1 tbsp mild curry paste
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. In a small bowl, mix together syrup, curry paste, oregano, and thyme.
3. Baste onto chicken three times or so during cooking.

Inspiration: Longo's Magazine Recipe

Apple Finnish Pancake

I am partial to any recipe that calls itself a Finnish Pancake. I once lived in Thunder Bay, Ont. and often dined at The Hoito, a place famous for its Finnish pancakes. This recipe isn't anything like those pancakes, but it is easy and a nice alternative to serve for breakfast. I do have a good recipe for the type of pancakes served at The Hoito, but I will save it for another time.

Ingredients:

2 cups apples, peeled and thinly sliced
1 tbsp butter
3 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup of flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp sugar


Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
2. Place apples and butter in baking dish and toss to coat. Bake in the oven for five minutes, or untiil the apples soften slightly.
3. Meanwhile whisk together eggs, milk, flour, baking powder, and salt until smooth. Set aside.
4. In a small bowl, combine cinnamon and sugar. Set aside.
5. Pour egg mixture over cooked apples. Sprinkle evenly with cinnamon sugar.
6. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until pancake is puffed and browned.

Inspiration: Cook Great Food by the Dieticians of Canada