Roasted Sweet Potatoes

These past few months I've had somewhat of a steady supply of sweet potatoes! Granny has been so generous whenever she takes a trip up to Durham and shares sweet potatoes with me. Typically I'll make a baked sweet potato casserole with all things sweet and topped with marshmallows! However the other evening I wanted to try something new. I browsed the Internet for some options but kind of did my own thing! This recipe isn't of the sweet variety so enjoy this different spin on sweet potatoes.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Serves 5-6

Ingredients
4 medium sweet potatoes
1/2 stick of butter
salt + pepper
spicy seasoning!

Directions
1. Peel and quarter sweet potatoes lengthwise then slice into 1/4" pieces. (I debated just roasting the circular slices but wanted to save on cooking time and made the pieces smaller.)
2. Put the potatoes in a 8x13 baking dish. Top with slices of butter (~6 slices for 1/2 stick). Sprinkle with salt + pepper and seasonings. I used a creole seasoning mix from my spice rack!
3. Roast in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes! Twice through roasting (10 minute and 20 minute mark) stir the potatoes to soak up all the butter!


Serving Ideas
I served this sweet potato side dish with a Mesquite marinated pork tenderloin, black eyed peas, and warm beets! Delicious! And super easy. The marinated pork tenderloins are by far one of my best kept secrets in the kitchen.

Next time I make the traditional sweet potato casserole topped with marshies I'll blog it!

Chopped Suey

This is a very basic casserole but still delicious. It's an old family recipe -- my grandfather's mother! So this recipe is tried and true. :)

Chopped Suey
serves 4

Ingredients
1 lb hamburger
1 can tomato soup (get the Healthy Request one!)
1 cup cooked rice
1 onion, chopped
pinch of salt

Directions
1. Brown hamburger and saute onion. Drain off grease.
2. Mix together hamburger mixture and remaining ingredients. Place in a 9x9 casserole dish.
3. If desired topped with crushed Ritz crackers and butter.
4. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Chili!

Yesterday we had a cookout here at the house complete with hot dogs and chili. This chili recipe is super easy and delicious!

[Hot Dog] Chili
Ingredients
1-1.15 lb hamburger
24 oz ketchup
2-3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
chili powder, to taste

Directions
1. Brown hamburger
2. In a saucepan mix hamburger and remaining ingredients. Heat until warmed through!

That's all! Enjoy!

Seared Tuna

The past few months I've been wanting to try more fish. I've never branched out far from salmon. At the seafood counter the other day Patrick and I thought we would try something new. We decided on tuna medallions that looked quite delicious. I consulted my Better Homes & Garden cookbook for directions on searing tuna and this is what I ended up with.

Seared Tuna
Serves 2
Really quick & easy!

Ingredients
4 - 2 oz tuna medallions
salt and pepper (or other seasonings)
extra virgin olive oil

1. Season tuna by rubbing salt and pepper on both sides.
2. Heat evoo in a skillet over medium high heat.
3. Sear tuna until desired pinkness in center. (I cooked mine a little longer than Patrick but basically it seemed 3-4 minutes per side.)
4. Serve tuna with soy sauce!

Menu suggestions: Sauteed squash with onions and rice!

Loved this! Can't wait to try it again!