Sweet Potato Fries With Blue Cheese Food

SWEET POTATO AND BLUE CHEESE GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Peel and thinly slice sweet potatoes on a mandoline; set aside. Heat heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat, and add the cheese so it slowly melts into the cream. Mix in brown sugar, salt, and red pepper flakes; bring to a low simmer to incorporate all of the ingredients, 5-10 minutes. Butter the baking dish and evenly layer a quarter of the sweet potatoes along the bottom, then lightly sprinkle with salt.
• When the sauce is ready, pour a quarter of it over the sweet potatoes. Repeat the potato/sauce layering three more times until all of the ingredients are in the baking dish. Cover with foil and cook for 40 minutes. Remove foil and broil to brown the top, 5 minutes. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

BAKED SWEET POTATO "FRIES"

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
• Halve the sweet potatoes lengthwise and cut each half into 3 long spears. Place them on a sheet pan and toss with the olive oil. Spread the potatoes in one layer. Combine the brown sugar, salt, and pepper and sprinkle on the potatoes. Bake for 15 minutes and then turn with a spatula. Bake for another 5 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Sprinkle lightly with salt and serve hot.

HOT POTATO CHIPS WITH BLUE CHEESE SAUCE

Steps:

• Place the milk in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over low heat. Heat the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the warm milk, and continue whisking until thickened. Season with salt and cayenne pepper. Continue cooking for 5 minutes, whisking occasionally. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese. If the sauce is too thick, thin it with a little extra milk. Serve sauce warm with potato chips for dipping.
• Place the potato slices on a baking sheet between layers of paper towels to make sure they are very dry before frying.
• Heat oil in a large, heavy saucepan until the temperature of the oil reaches 400 degrees F on a deep-fat thermometer. Fry the potatoes in small batches until golden brown on both sides, turning once. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a brown paper bag or another baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain. Season with salt immediately. Serve hot with the blue cheese dipping sauce.