Condiments

Sometimes a meal is about the actual meal. The chicken or potato or pasta-whatever. Sometimes a meal is all about the condiments that goes along with a meal. The BBQ sauce or honey mustard or in this case the spicy ketchup. Mmm spicy ketchup!

I was strolling through Whole Foods quite innocently one day and decided I was a feeling a bit peck-ish, so I hit up one of the many sampling tables they have scattered throughout the store. I'm sure they saw that I was coming a immediately threw down like 4 more tables because I am totally a sucker. I definitely have sucked tattooed across my forehead. S.U.C.K.E.R.

At the first table I went to they had ketchup samples. Now, I know, ketchup doesn't sound all that exciting, but they were on tatter tots, and who doesn't like tatter tots? Tatter tots immediately brings me back to grade school lunch time, with the Styrofoam plates and spork utensils, trying to trade Susie G my pudding for her cookies.

I popped the first tot in my mouth and it was definitely some good ketchup. No, we aren't talking Heinz here folks. Then the very nice sample lady said "You should definitely try the spicy ketchup." "Well, if you insist" I replied. I gobbled it up and wished I could have more. So I bought a jar...or three. Hey, you will thank me one day when World War IV breaks out and there's ketchup shortages and I am fully stocked with spicy ketchup. Because clearly that is totally going to happen. Not. But whatever.

This ketchup is like grown-up ketchup, if such a thing exists. It's spicy and a little sweet and totally transformed these sweet potatoes fries into something otherworldly.

Don't get me wrong, the sweet potato fries are awesome all on their own, but especially when you sprinkle them with rosemary-garlic salt right after they come out of the oven. Just throwing that out there kids, just a thought...a tasty thought. The fries are nice and crispy, much better than normal oven-fried fries. The cornstarch does something, as does the water too I'm sure. Unfortunately I don't know what and Alton Brown hasn't answered my very important email regarding this subject.

The point here is that you should go right. this. second. and get some of this spicy ketchup. I don't know who you are Sir Kensington, but you make some damn good ketchup!

Sweet Potato Fries
Serves 2

2 Sweet potatoes, about medium in size, peeled, and cut into strips
2-3 tbsp Cornstarch
2-5 tbsp Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper

1. Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into about steak fries size. The sticks should be not huge, but not shoestring sized. Place in a shallow baking dish or bowl and cover with water. Soak the sweet potatoes for at least an hour or up to half a day. Drain and blot dry.
2. In a resealable bag place the sweet potatoes and cornstarch. Shake to cover. Add more cornstarch if necessary (it was for me) one tablespoon at a time until they are evenly coated, but not drenched. I may have gotten a little carried away and mine ended up drenched. Whatever, they were still tasty!
3. Place the covered fries on a baking sheet and add as much oil as you like.
 More oil = tasty Less oil = Healthier your choice here.
4. Bake on 425F for 15 minutes, flip and repeat. Check on them a couple of times to make sure they aren't burning.
5. Once crispy and golden remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with salt and pepper or in my case rosemary-garlic salt.

Enjoy!