Good friends, good food

Last night we had the wonderful privilege of hanging out with our some dear friends, Tori and Jeremy. Tori made dinner and we watched the Duke game. We had an amazing time! I feel so blessed to have Tori and Jeremy in our lives. I really started thinking about the friendships that my husband and I have in our lives. God has really blessed us with some pretty incredible friends. Really...they are all more like family than friends. True friendship is doing something for someone else while expecting nothing in return. Tori and Jeremy demonstrated this last night when they came to our house and cooked dinner for us. True friends also share a desire to see one another grow and hope for each other to succeed in life. Friends also share thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. Friends hold each other accountable. Real friends encourage one another and forgive one another. Real friends are dependable. Friends love each other no matter what and always want the best for our each other. I am so thankful to God for giving us SO many amazing friendships. I have not been as good of a friend since I moved to Raleigh. I think it has taken me this entire year and a half to come to grips with living so far away from some of our dear friends. I am going to do better and realize the blessings God has put in front of me today.

Tori made turkey burgers, sweet potato fries, and regular fries. Everything was so yummy. However, the sweet potato fries were out of this world! This recipe is my new go to recipe when I am craving sweet potatoes or fries. This is an absolute must try recipe! Next time you want to bless some of your friends, make them some burgers and these amazing fries.

Crispy Sweet Potato Fries

1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp kosher salt
2 quarts peanut or vegetable oil
1 cup cornstarch
3/4 cup club soda
2 pounds sweet potatoes,
peeled and cut into 1/2 by 1/4 inch lengths
(To stabilize sweet potatoes for slicing, cut a 1/4 inch piece
from one side of each potato so that it sits flat. Cut the sweet
potato in 1/2 inch thick planks. Cut each plank into 1/4 inch fries,)

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 200 degrees. Combine chili powder, garlic powder, cayenne, and salt in a large bowl.

Heat oil in large dutch oven or large stock pot over high heat to 375 degrees. While oil is heating, whisk cornstarch and club soda in medium bowl. Working in small batches, dip sweet potatoes in cornstarch mixture, allowing excess to drip back into bowl, and transfer to wire rack.

When oil is ready, fry half of sweet potatoes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crisp, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain fries on paper towel-lines baking sheet and transfer to oven. Return oil to 375 degrees and repeat with remaining fries. Transfer crisp fries to bowl with spice mixture and toss to coat.