Make your own curly fries at home

We very rarely take the children out for dinner, rather opting for the occasional pizza. It’s not that we don’t want to but I hate paying exorbitant prices for food that I can cook just as well at home. They do frequent a particular restaurant with the Dad that makes ‘curly fries’ and they rave about them, especially my fried potato loving daughter who won’t eat anything else.

I’m also not in the habit of buying new gadgets or appliances but I did happen to see a ‘slinky machine’ on a recent shopping trip which had been marked down. My kids love eating the apple once it’s been ‘slinked’, skin and all. I had some long, skinny potatoes so thought I’d try my hand at ‘slinking’ the potato and they didn’t turn out too bad.

I chose to keep the skin on but the gadget does have an in-built peeler. Oh, it was also a good opportunity to get the kids to help prep dinner. They love operating the slinky machine.

Once the machine has done it’s job, https://www.performancesaab.com/profile/4832214 you’re left with what is the ‘core’ of the potato and they got ‘fried’ as well. I don’t own a deep fryer nor do I like deep frying food so I oven baked these fries and they turned out lovely and crisp.

Sometimes little bits broke off but most of the time I was left with the entire ‘curl’ from the potato.

Toss them in a bowl with plenty of salt and pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.

Then put on an oven tray in a moderately hot oven until crispy and golden brown.

Everyone loved them. I loved the ‘cores’ the best as they were light and fluffy inside. Not sure I’d go to the trouble again but for a special occasion, they were a bit of fun and not a single one was left. I’m not sure what you could substitute if you don’t have a slinky machine but I know there are heaps of gadgets on the market out there for ‘curling’ vegetables. I might try carrot next time.

What vegetables would you try?

Homemade cheeseburger & sweet potato fries

I normally don’t go to too much trouble for lunch when I’m home alone but sometimes I look at a few ingredients lurking in the fridge and a meal is forming in my head. I had a small amount of leftover uncooked ground beef and a quarter piece of peeled sweet potato. Sweet potato chips/fries are the latest rage around here. Lower GI than normal potato. Trouble is, they’re still deep fried but can be baked in the oven for a low calorie option.

Homemade Cheeseburger & Sweet Potato Fries

ground beef, seasoned with salt and pepper
spray of oil for frying
sliced bread/bread roll, toasted on one side
tasty cheese
tomato sauce (ketchup)
pickle relish or chutney
lettuce/tomato or other salad ingredients

Sweet potato fries:
sweet potato, chopped into chips/fries
oil for frying
salt

1. The mince I used was ground quite finely so I didn’t need an egg to bind but you might find you need one to hold it all together. I just seasoned my beef with salt and pepper.
2. Form beef into a pattie and fry until cooked as desired.
3. Once cooked, place pattie onto untoasted side of bread and cheese on top. Grill until melted.
4. Top with salad ingredients, relish and tomato sauce.
5. For sweet potato fries, you can either par boil then fry until golden or cook once in oil at a lower temperature then drain and re-fry until golden. You can also spray with oil spray and bake in the oven until golden. Note: they will brown more quickly than a normal potato due to the high sugar content. Sprinkle with salt to serve.