SWEET POTATO RECIPES: Ginger Baked Sweet Potatoes . . . Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Ginger Baked Sweet Potatoes

4 medium sweet potatoes, about 3 pounds

1 cup apple juice

2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

2 teaspoons butter

¼ cup chopped walnuts, toasted

Scrub potatoes and prick. Bake at 400 degrees 60 minutes or until potatoes are cooked but still firm. Remove from oven and allow to stand until cool enough to handle.

Meanwhile, heat apple juice to boiling. (If desired, microwave apple juice on high, 100 percent power, about 3 minutes or until boiling.) Stir ginger into apple juice. Allow to stand 1 hour.

Peel potatoes and slice C,-inch thick. Arrange potato slices in a 2-quart casserole dish.

Strain apple juice to remove ginger. Stir in honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper; blend well and pour over sweet potatoes. Dot with butter. Sprinkle with walnuts. Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees, 30 minutes.

Yield: Serves 6.

Approximate nutritional analysis per serving: 258 calories (16 percent from fat), 5 grams total fat (1 gram saturated), 3 milligrams cholesterol, 52 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams protein, 125 milligrams sodium, 5 grams dietary fiber.

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

2 large sweet potatoes

2 tablespoons olive oil

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick vegetable cooking spray.

Peel potatoes, then cut into ¼-by-2-inch strips. Place potato strips in plastic food bag and drizzle with olive oil. Seal bag and shake to coat potatoes evenly. Spread in single layer on prepared baking sheet. Bake 15 minutes; stir gently, turning strips over. Bake 15 minutes; stir gently. Bake 5 to 10 minutes or until lightly brown. Season hot potatoes with salt, pepper and cayenne.

Yield: Serves 4.

Approximate nutritional analysis per serving: 129 calories (48 percent from fat), 7 grams total fat (1 gram saturated), no cholesterol, 16 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram protein, 275 milligrams sodium, 2 grams dietary fiber.

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