Molly Yeh Sweet Potato Hash Food

BACON HASSELBACK SWEET POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• To a large cast-iron pan, add the bacon in an even layer. Turn the heat to medium and cook until crispy, around 4 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels and set aside. When cool enough to handle, break into pieces.
• To the bacon fat in the pan, add the maple syrup, paprika and 2 teaspoons salt. Set aside.
• One at a time, place a potato between the handles of 2 wooden spoons or 2 chopsticks. Slice each potato into 1/8-inch-thick slices; the spoon handles will prevent the knife from cutting all the way through. Place the potatoes in the pan and baste with the bacon fat/maple syrup mixture all over, including the bottoms and in between the slices. Roast until the potatoes are soft, basting halfway through, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and add bacon between the slices. Place on a serving platter and garnish with the chives and salt to taste.

CARROT HASH WITH EGGS AND PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Grate the carrots (set the tops aside--you will use them later) and potato in a food processor fitted with the shredding attachment. Transfer to a colander set over a large bowl and add the scallion whites and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Use your hands or a clean dish towel to squeeze as much moisture out as possible. Discard the liquid in the bowl, then add the carrot mixture to that bowl. Stir in the panko, raisins, harissa, brown sugar, cumin, sumac, 2 eggs, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a bunch of grinds of black pepper (I did 20) until well combined.
• Heat 1/4 cup of the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat (see Cook's Note). Drop a small amount of the carrot mixture into the skillet. When it starts to sizzle, your oil is ready. Add the rest of the carrot mixture to the skillet and press down using the back of a spatula. Let cook, untouched, until the edges of the carrots turn a very deep golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Create 3 small divots in the top of the carrot mixture using the bottom of a measuring cup. Brush 1 tablespoon oil on top and transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake until the carrots are set and the top is a deep golden brown, about 20 minutes.
• Carefully crack the remaining 3 eggs into the divots and bake until the egg whites are set and the yolks are still runny, about 8 minutes. (Cracking the eggs into a small bowl and pouring them into the divots makes this part a little easier and less messy). Use a spatula to help slide the hash out of the skillet onto a serving platter.
• Meanwhile, make the pesto. Roughly chop the carrot tops and scallion greens and add to the bowl of a food processor along with the basil, sunflower seeds, vinegar, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Pulse until everything is very finely chopped. Slowly drizzle in the remaining 1 1/2 cups oil and 1/4 cup water until smooth and drizzly. Drizzle the pesto over the top of the hash and slice into wedges. Serve with the remaining pesto on the side.

MASHED CHEESY POTATOES & GRAVY

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a pot with salted water to cover. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until tender all the way through, about 10 minutes. Drain.
• Combine the butter, heavy cream and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in the same pot you cooked the potatoes in and melt over low heat. Use a masher to puree the potatoes right back into the pot while still hot. Stir in the sour cream. Add large handfuls of cheese and stir and fold the potatoes over themselves until the cheese melts, then add another handful. If it gets too thick and hard to stir before you've added all the cheese, add a few tablespoons of additional cream. Season with salt and pepper. Serve and add the Gravy on top.
• Heat the drippings in a small saucepan (or the meatloaf pan) over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth. Cook and stir until lightly toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the thyme. Whisk in the beef stock until smooth. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and stir in the Worcestershire. Simmer until thickened, 4 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

SWEET POTATO WAFFLE FRY NACHOS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Spread the waffle fries on a rimmed baking sheet and bake, tossing once halfway through, until the fries are crisp and the edges are browned, 20 to 25 minutes (depending on the brand).
• Push the fries toward the center of the baking sheet. Dollop the beans around the fries. Top with the American cheese. Place in oven until the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and top with the sour cream, Fresnos, olives, scallions, cilantro and sriracha.