Sweet Potato Fries (Baked)

We have grown up loving and eating sweet potato (shakarkandi) chaat from the local vendors all around the streets, this time of the year. What really works in that dish is the smoky flavour of cooking the sweet potatoes on the charcoal combined with the crisp masalas and lemon. While we can't hope to create that at home, we decided to make a sweet potato based snack.

Sweet potato fries are quite common in some western countries but we haven't as yet seen them much in India. We made the baked version and just slightly spiced them with smoked paprika and cayenne pepper (red mirchi). These are one fries which won't need ketchup to be enjoyed - the sweet potatoes combined with the spices are a treat in themselves !

Thanks to Zomato for gifting us this quirky mug for our restaurant reviews.

Ingredients

500 gms Sweet Potatoes (cut in long square fingers)
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (red mirchi)
1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
Salt as per taste
1 tbsp olive oil

Method

1. Preheat the oven at maximum temperature for around 5 minutes.

2. Mix all the ingredients to coat the fries well with the spices and the oil.

3. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and lay out the fries (equally placed).

4. Heat in the oven for about 8 minutes and then flip over and heat for another 4-5 minutes. Watch closely as the timing may vary based on the oven and the thickness of the fries.

5. Take out and let cool for 2-3 minutes before serving.