California Burgers With Sweet Potato Fries Food

GRILLED SWEET POTATO FRIES

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates.
• In a large pot, add the sweet potatoes and cover with cold salted water. Bring them to a boil over medium heat. Lower the heat and simmer until you can pierce each potato with a paring knife and there is little to no resistance, approximately 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.
• Transfer the sweet potatoes to a large bowl of cold water to halt their cooking process. Once the potatoes are cool, drain well. Peel the potatoes and cut them lengthwise into thick wedges, about 6 wedges per potato. Put the potatoes into a large bowl and coat them with olive oil. Add the brown sugar, cayenne, salt, pepper, cinnamon and cloves and toss to evenly coat. Put the wedges on the preheated grill. Cook until they are heated through and caramelized, approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side. Serve them as they are, or with a side of mint and cumin aioli, if desired.

SWEET POTATO MILLET BURGERS

Steps:

• Bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the sweet potato and 3/4 teaspoon salt, reduce the heat to medium low and cook 10 minutes. Add the millet and chickpeas, reduce the heat to low and cook, covered and stirring occasionally, until the millet is tender and absorbs all of the water, about 20 minutes (add more water, if needed). Turn off the heat and transfer the mixture to a medium bowl, letting it cool slightly.
• Stir in 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, the chiles, shallot, cumin, paprika, onion powder and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Shape the mixture into 4 patties, pressing them so they are about 1/2 inch thick. Place the patties on a plate and refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Lightly beat the egg in a medium bowl. In another medium bowl, stir together the remaining 1/4 cup breadcrumbs with the cornmeal. Place 1 chilled patty in the beaten egg, turning over the patty to coat the other side. Dip the patty in the cornmeal-breadcrumb mixture and sprinkle the mixture over the top of the patty, lightly pressing it on. Repeat with the remaining 3 patties.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add half of the canola oil and the patties and cook until they are golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the remaining oil to the skillet and use a spatula to carefully flip the patties (they will be somewhat soft); cook the other side until golden brown, 3 to 4 more minutes. Serve each burger on a bun with your favorite toppings.

SOUTHWESTERN TURKEY BURGERS WITH SWEET POTATO FRIES

Steps:

• For the sweet potato fries, preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
• Wash and dry the potatoes
• With the skin on, slice into 1/2-inch-thick rounds; cut the rounds into 1/2-inch-thick finger-shaped pieces.
• Toss the potatoes in a bowl with the oil, chili powder, garlic powder and salt.
• On a baking sheet, spread the sweet potato fries in a single layer and roast, stirring every 10 minutes, until brown and tender, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Remove from the oven, transfer to a platter or bowl and sprinkle with a little more salt.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix the lean ground turkey with the diced chiles and season with salt and pepper.
• Shape into patties and refrigerate until ready to cook.
• Heat a large grill pan or nonstick skillet on medium heat and spritz with canola oil.
• Add the turkey patties to the grill pan and cook until browned on one side, about 4 minutes.
• Flip, reduce the heat to low, cover (if using a skillet) and cook until the juices run pale pink, about 4 more minutes.
• Top with the reduced-fat pepper-jack cheese during the last minute.
• Toast the rolls in the oven or in a toaster oven. Alternatively, grill them 1 minute on each side.
• To assemble: On a platter, place the fries and a burger on a bun and top with lettuce, tomato, onion and avocado slices. Squeeze lime juice over the fries and serve.