Sweet Potato Fries

Technically, these little morsels shouldn't be called "fries" because

they're baked, not fried. But 'Sweet Potato Sticks' doesn't sound nearly as

appetizing, now does it.:)

I first saw this recipe on how does she? and was skeptical about how they would turn out so I made traditional baked sweet potatoes (with cinnamon sugar) as well as the experimental fries to go along with our steaks. I should have made them all fries because they were so good! And all three kids ate them too! Yum! We may never have to eat deep fried 'fries' again!

5 star rating because even as full as I was, I couldn't help but finish off

the last of them. This is all that was left by the time I got my hands on my

camera. For better, more appetizing photos click here.

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

2 or 3 good sized red yams

olive oil

grated parmesan, yes the stuff in the green can

(my sweet gammy always called this par-ME-san)

Peel then cut the potatoes into strips, or sticks. Put in a large bowl and toss with a couple tablespoons olive oil and grated parmesan until evenly coated. Spread on foil covered cookie sheet and roast at 425 for 30 minutes, turning every 10-15 minutes. Serve with favorite dipping sauce. I like traditional Utah fry sauce, which is equal parts ketchup and mayonnaise. (Well, I probably favor the ketchup a little)

*Note: images are from different batches. I tried skins on but think I prefer no skins:)

Vermont Maple Blueberry Salad

This salad is so delicious at Cafe Zupas. Could I recreate it? I think I can.
1 head Romaine Lettuce, cleaned and chopped

Fresh Blueberries

1-2 Granny Smith Apples

Crumbled Blue Cheese

Cinnamon sugared Almonds (below)

Maple Vinaigrette (below)

Toss and serve. Yum!

Maple Vinaigrette

(all amounts are approximate. I just poured what I thought might work)

3T White Wine Vinegar

1/4 c sugar, dissolved in the vinegar

1/2 c vegetable oil

1/4 c maple syrup

1/2 tsp dry mustard

dash onion powder

Cinnamon Sugared Almonds

1 c raw almonds (I actually like to chop them a bit before sugaring them, make them bite size)

1/2 c sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/8 c water

Combine sugar with cinnamon then add water. Boil in a saucepan and add almonds, stirring often if not constantly. Cook until moisture has evaporated. Spread on cookie sheet to cool.

Sushi

Getting a little daring? Maybe.

I don't do the raw fish thing. No thank you I learned enough about the risks of that in college Microbiology. But this, hmmm. Actually kind of tasty, though I'm probably the only one who liked it, which is why I only rated it a 3

California Rolls

Crab legs (I just used imitation)

Avocado, cut into strips

Cucumber, cut into strips

Sushi Rice, prepared according to package directions

Hoshi Nori Sushi Wraps

Sauce for dipping ie Wasabi, Teriyaki

For instructions, I went to youtube where there are several instructional videos on how to. Although most California Rolls have the rice on the outside, I opted to put it on the inside.

Lettuce Wraps

Thanks to Melanie for this one!
Lettuce

Shredded Carrots

Swiss Cheese

Crab Legs

Corn & Chile Salsa (Sure wish Trader Joes would come to Utah)

Place a half (or full) slice of swiss cheese atop a clean leaf of lettuce (romaine or green leaf are great). Then make a bed of shredded carrots. Place a crab leg (I used imitation) on top of that and garnish with spicy corn salsa.

Delicious! Depending on how much cheese you add, they only come in at about 100 calories each.

Can't find a recipe you thought was posted here? Try the old Nicholai-cooks blog, which kind of acts as my online cookbook. (I use it to find stuff when I'm cooking away from home)

Scones

We opened the magic box on Friday (you know, the one that sits on our porch and magically makes milk every Tues & Fri) and found yummy honeybutter.

Honeybutter = Scones!

After a couple rounds with a mix, the thought finally occurred to me to mix my own. Duh!

A google search and some help from the breadmaker to mix and knead and... Voilà!
German Scones (deep fried)

2 packages dry yeast (roughly 2 tablespoons)
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup margarine or butter
2 teaspoons salt
3 eggs, beaten
4 1/2 cups flour

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water.
2. Add the 1 tablespoon sugar, and set aside.
3. Pour boiling water over the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, the margarine, and salt.
4. Add eggs, and stir well.
5. Then add in the yeast mixture, and 2 cups of the flour.
6. Beat with mixer until smooth.
7. Add the rest of the flour (2 1/2 cups).
8. Let rise for one hour, then refrigerate until cold.
9. (Note: can be refigerated overnight) Roll out very thin (about 1/4-inch) on floured surface, and cut into 3-inch squares.
10. Fry in hot oil until golden brown and puffy.
11. Serve with butter and honey, or coated with granulated sugar.

Not quite as fluffy as the scones from the mix but tastes almost identical. I give it at least a 4 star rating.

Cinnamon Rolls

Basic Roll Recipe:

1 egg + enough warm water to equal 1 1/2 cups

2 1/4 tsp yeast

4 c bread flour

1/4 c sugar

1/4 c vegetable oil

2 Tbsp dough enhancer

2 tsp salt

Cinnamon mixture:

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp cardamom

1/4 c sugar

Brown sugar

Icing:

1/4 c butter

1/4 c cream cheese

Powdered Sugar

vanilla

milk

For the rolls, dissolve yeast in water for 5-10 minutes then let the bread maker do the work! My bread maker kneads for about 30 minutes then raises for an hour. When dough is ready, roll out into big circle on clean counter. Cover dough completely with super thin layer of melted butter then layer of brown sugar. Sprinkle with cinnamon/ cardamom combination. Roll up and cut into rolls. Let rise and bake at 325 for 15-20 minutes.