Is it a yam, or a sweet potato? What we typically see here in Canada in our grocery stores as yams really are orange sweet potatoes, which is what I used in this recipe. As they roasted in the oven, the teen suggested we whip up a chipotle dipping sauce, which takes these from yum to WOW. Try the sauce in burgers or sandwiches for a little extra zing! We love these as a snack or side when with just about anything.
Ingredients
Sweet Potato Fries
1 1/2 lbs orange sweet potatoes (often called yams at the store)
olive oil
Montreal Steak Spice (without salt)
Spicy Chipotle Mayo
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 Tbsp sour cream
2-3 tsp chipotle puree (* see note), depending on how spicy you like it. Try less and if you want it hotter, add more.
1/2 lemon, freshly squeezed
* Chipotle puree is easily made by buying a can of chipotles in adobo sauce, then pureeing it in a food processor. Spoon into an ice cube tray and freeze, so you can thaw a cube and use it to flavour all sorts of dishes.
Pre-heat oven to 375 F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. I really love using the parchment here because I have some really nice rimmed baking sheets, and the last thing I want is sticky sweet potato stuff all over them that I may have to scrape off and ruin the finish.
Peel and slice sweet potatoes into even sized chunks, or stick shapes. I usually do mine into chunks, but I thought I'd try more for a fry effect for photos. The point is, you want them to be uniform sized as much as possible so that they will cook evenly.
Toss the sweet potato chunks with a glug of olive oil-enough to coat them, and then sprinkle with some steak spice. You can use whatever spice blend you wish, but I like mine peppery so this one works for me. I prefer the kind without salt because otherwise I find my fries too salty. Toss so everything is nicely coated.
Turn the bowl out onto the parchment, spreading the sweet potato fries out to give them some room. Bake for about 20-25 minutes until lightly browned and cooked through.
While the fries are baking, stir together all the dip ingredients. It may seem a bit hot but remember that when you are dipping the sweet potatoes in it, the sweetness from the potatoes will cut the heat somewhat. Cover and put the dip in the fridge until the fries are ready, then serve immediately.
Serves 2