orange and green ! good for you and pretty too!!

Well I had a surprise visit from my daughter and it turned out we had an impromptu dinner with a couple of her friends. It was so nice to hang with the girls since they stayed in the kitchen with me instead of running off by themselves. Dinner was nothing fancy a re-working of some leftovers with quinoa and some salads and roasted broccoli and sweet potatoes. Normal fair for rel but it turns out totally new for her friends. Who knew that a little olive oil salt, pepper and garlic and a 425 degree oven for 25 minutes could make broccoli taste so good. Certainly not Sara. But there you have it Sara so roast away.

Sweet Potatoes have been a favorite food of mine since childhood. Of course i preferred them candied but I have not been preparing them like that for years. I began roasting them a while ago with a little salt and pepper cinnamon and nutmeg but lately i have switched to this version.

Sweet Potatoes (amount differs per size and people serving.) But I have used one really big one for 2 or 3 people but basically if they are small one per person but usually 1 good size potato for 2 people. Leftovers are never a bad thing.

Pre heat oven to 390 ( I find that if I go to high they burn given the sugar content of the potatoe)

Sweet Potatoes
Olive Oil or Canola or Grapeseed oil
Coarse salt, Kosher or sea
Ground Pepper
Chili Powder
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Granulated or Regular Brown Sugar
Cayenne optional-sometimes i use it sometimes i dont

Peel and Cut Potatoes into equal size, either cut circles and circles into 4 pieces or cut sticks or wedges the smaller the pieces
the faster they will cook

You can season in a bowl or on a sheet pan with sides.

Coat potatoes with oil enough to coat but not swimming in oil or they will steam and not roast.
lightly salt and pepper
sprinkle with chili powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg
I use a handful of brown sugar and toss to coat evenly.
if you want more heat a sparing shake or a pinch of cayenne.

Roast at 390 for 45 minutes to and hour. Check after 25 and shake pan turn potatoes if necessary. If you like them more well done on the out side leave them longer.

Leftover sweet potatoes are great with the turkey chili, it is like a sweet and savory hash!!


Roasted Broccoli-pre-heat oven to 425
sheet pan
Broccoli Florets
olive oil
salt, pepper, garlic cloves chopped that have been soaking in olive oil or garlic powder

Toss Broccoli with oil and seasonings and roast for 20-25 minutes will brown and have a nutty taste.
you can do this with string beans, asparagus etc...

This is a great combo with almost anything, but grilled or roasted chicken with these two sides are comfort any night of the week.

Enjoy!!