Sweet, Sweet Potato Success

Laaaadies and gentlemen! Preee-sen-ting...

The secret to your paleo-success. 

Your go-to-tuber.

The food that roots for you! 

The Sweet Potato! 

(btw, if you didn't read this in a cheesy announcer voice, please go back for a re-do).

That's right. You can eat them and you should. Besides the fact that they are full of fiber, vitamin A, beta-carotene, and carry a low glycemic load, they just taste great and are simple to make. 

And, believe it or not, they can be made and enjoyed without marshmallows. 

I didn't know this until a few years ago. To this day, I only ever see my Mom make them in a thick syrup topped with marshmallows. Sorry Momma. There are better ways. 

I'm going to give you tips on a simple method to get them into your everyday life without hassle. 

Step 1. Bigger is not better. Find managably sized sweet potatoes. Those huge boys are fun to look at, maybe even fun to hold in your hand for a bit too, but truthfully, they are too much trouble to work with.

Step 2. Blanching! This is the step that will change your world. To blanch your vegetables, place them in boiling water for 30 seconds to a minute, remove, and then rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. It will drastically decrease your cooking time and create both the taste and texture you want (cooked in middle, crispy on outside). Just cut up your sweet potato into cubes, blanch, and prepare for step 3.

Cheater Step 2. You can cheat and skip the boiling water if you are in a hurry. Cut up the spud, put in a bowl, and nuke 'em for 1 minute. It'll be fine.

Step 3. Heat a pan generously laced with some good oil (olive, avocado, or macadamia) over med heat. Once oil is hot, add potatoes, let sear for a couple minutes, toss repeatedly, then cover and toss again every 3-4 minutes until done to the consistency you like.

Cheater step 3. Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees and place a foil lined baking sheet in oven. Put sweet potatoes in a bowl and toss in olive oil. Spread on hot baking sheet and roast in oven for 20 minutes or so. 

Step 4. Season. I like a touch of sea salt and cinnamon. Sometimes some chipotle chili powder. I've heard ginger and cinnamon is good too.  You can also add onions and peppers to the mix while pan frying and make sweet potato hash. Whateva! These studly spudlies go with any meal of the day.




p.s. Don't ever, ever, ever buy a "pre-wrapped" sweet potato. Any sweet potato can be put in the microwave for 4-5 minutes and turn out just like a great baked potato.

Fried, Crispy, Good, and Paleo!

I get razzed sometimes for trying too hard. That's ok. I don't see it that way. I call it commitment. 

I don't think it's that big of a deal to do something 100%. Yoda would agree with me: "there is no 'try.'" 

Think of it this way. There's nothing like saying: "I'm going to try something with 85% commitment."

I wouldn't date you. You're a cheater. 

And, there are reasons you should commit. If you don't, you'll never stop looking. Temptation is everywhere.  

Believe me, once you cross that 14 day hump, life looks a whooooole lot different. (14 days is the approximate time for your body to fully adjust to using ketones as your fuel source rather than glycogen, a far more efficient fat-burning fuel process and the theorized "original human" biological framework.) Having done this successfully, I can tell you, the difference is life changing. 

BUT! 

Just because we are in a deeply committed -  Paleo - relationship doesn't mean we can't flirt. In this case, you can even brag about it. Here's one way you can make your new Paleo ways just as amazing as your old habits:

Paleo Fried Chicken Fingers drizzled with local honey 

Stuff You Need:

1 lb white or dark boneless chicken meat, sliced 

1 cup almond meal* (see where to find, below) 

2 med eggs

1/2 cup water 

favorite seasonings (I used ancho chili powder, dried dill, 

2 tbsp local honey 

inch deep frying pan

thongs 

How to do it:

1. In a bowl, combine eggs and water, whisk. (this is called "egg wash")

2. Place almond meal in separate bowl. 

3. Dip chicken in egg wash

4. Lay chicken slices in almond meal, then season, then toss and coat thoroughly

5. (optional) for best effect, put coated chicken in freezer for 4-5 minutes

6. Heat up pan to slightly less than med. Coat pan with generous serving of olive oil* 

*don't be shy. When you're on paleo, you substitute your carbs and calories with healthy plant-based fat.

7. gently lay each chicken piece in hot oil, WAIT 2-3 minutes (or it'll stick). 

8. After 3 minutes, gently nudge. If it releases, it's ready to turn. If not, wait. Then flip and cook other side.

9. To ensure proper chicken cooking, add a lid to the process, it'll allow for convection cooking (hot air), although the chicken will be a lil' less crispy.

10. rest of paper towel for 3-4 minutes. 

11. drizzle with local honey.

12. Try it, eat it, and tell me what you think!

My Paleo Fried Chicken Fingers...Instagrammed no less!

Make a complete meal out of it by adding

a small sweet potato, some green beans sauteed with garlic, onion, and olive oil, and some avocado slices! 

*Athenians can find Almond Meal for a great price at the Bulk Food Depot - a hidden gem.
www.bulkfoodathens.com ; others may find it at Trader Joes. It's about $3.00/lb