My mom's having a cataract removed from her right eye in February; the specialist says he hopes to schedule surgery on her left eye in March. A tendency to develop cataracts in old age can be genetic, but experts say beta carotene can help protect your eyesight and guard against cataracts. Wearing sunglasses is a good idea, too.
Beta carotene is found in foods that are naturally orange in color, like sweet potatoes.
Easy-Cut and Quick-Fry Method
Sweet potatoes are hard to cut, this method makes making sweet potato wedges so much easier and the cooking time will be reduced if you fry or oven-bake:
Put small to medium-size yams (sweet potatoes) in a pot of cold water.
Bring water to a boil and let potatoes cook in a partially-covered pot until soft but still firm.
Remove potatoes from pot, drain, then when cool enough, cut into wedges.
Toss with oil, sea salt and pepper and other seasonings (onion salt, garlic salt, cayenne pepper).
Fry in hot oil, or oven-bake in preheated 425 degree F oven on parchment paper on a baking sheet until hot and crisp.
Dave's Fave Sweet Potato Wedges
Dave's Fave Sweet Potato Wedges
This recipe was adapted from a Chatelaine magazine recipe published April, 2008.
To adjust this recipe for fewer or more potatoes, use enough oil to lightly coat the amount of potatoes you cut and adjust seasonings accordingly and to taste.
We like them salty and spicy and use more cayenne.
We don't use the brown sugar.
We like them salty and spicy and use more cayenne.
We don't use the brown sugar.
- 3 medium-sized sweet potatoes
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic salt OR onion salt OR 1/4 tsp. of each
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar (optional)
Peel potatoes.
Slice in half lengthwise and crosswise.
Place cut-side down and slice into wedges 1/2" (1 cm) thick.
Lightly oil a large rimmed baking sheet.
Place in oven to pre-heat. (It should heat but not get smoking hot--be careful!)
Toss cut raw potato wedges with oil and spices, stir to coat, tumble onto hot baking sheet.
Roast coated potatoes in oven, turning after 10 minutes.
Using a convection oven, we don't need to turn the wedges, just move them around a little.
Cook till lightly browned, about 20-25 minutes.
Potato Dip:
Mix:
Slice in half lengthwise and crosswise.
Place cut-side down and slice into wedges 1/2" (1 cm) thick.
Lightly oil a large rimmed baking sheet.
Place in oven to pre-heat. (It should heat but not get smoking hot--be careful!)
Toss cut raw potato wedges with oil and spices, stir to coat, tumble onto hot baking sheet.
Roast coated potatoes in oven, turning after 10 minutes.
Using a convection oven, we don't need to turn the wedges, just move them around a little.
Cook till lightly browned, about 20-25 minutes.
Potato Dip:
Mix:
- /2 cup plain Balkan style yogurt OR sour cream
- 1 tsp. dried rosemary OR dill
- 1/4 tsp. onion salt (or to taste)
- 1 tsp finely grated citrus peel (optional)
