SWEET POTATO HASH

Well watching the Food Network yesterday, I was inspired by Michael Smith's Chef at Home "Breakfast for Dinner" episode. I adore breakfast for dinner, and one of the side dishes he made for his breakfast was a sweet potato hash. I decided to give it a whirl as it would be a great side dish for many different meals as sweet potatoes are very versatile. With the flavour and taste of bacon and some crisp chives, you can't beat this side dish. In the episode he served it alongside some crispy pork belly and a three-egg omelet with chives, thyme and sharp cheddar cheese. For a great meal idea try all three together! Otherwise just serve on the side of something like chicken!

Sweet Potato Hash
Serves 4
Total time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:
- 2 sweet potatoes (diced)
- 6 pieces of bacon
- a handful of chopped chives
- salt and pepper
- sour cream (optional)

Directions:
- In a pan on medium-high heat cook the bacon until crispy. One done, remove from pan and leave bacon fat in the pan.
- Dice sweet potatoes (I left the skin on, way more flavour and nutrients) and add them to the pan with the bacon fat. Mix around so that the grease covers the potatoes and cook until tender on medium heat. About 10-15 minutes depending on the size of the dice.

- Once fork tender, remove from place and place in serving dish.
- Top with crisp bacon (just break the bacon apart with your hands) and the chopped chives.
- Serve immediatley. (sour cream on the side is optional, but a great little dip)

ENJOY!

photo credit: my own images

SHEPHERD'S PIE

Mmmmm with the fall and winter months approaching, what better comfort/soul food could there be than a homemade Shepherd’s Pie. This dish is truly the epitome of the world “comfort food.” Cottage Pie or as we know it – Shepherd’s Pie is a traditional English “meat pie.” The term cottage pie started around the 1800’s when potatoes were introduced as an edible crop affordable for those less fortunate. With the ability to cook with potatoes, cottage pie was a means of using leftover meats and incorporating this cheap produce.

After Labour Day I spent about another week at the lake, but it was no hot and sunny week. Cold and rainy - the perfect weather for a delicious, homemade Shepherd’s Pie. A delicious meal, and one that I didn’t even have to make!

Brennan’s Shepherd’s Pie

Ingredients:
- 2 cans of creamed corn
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 10 peeled mashing potatoes
- Salt and pepper
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tbsp cream cheese

Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Peel potatoes and boil in hot water until fork tender.
- Once tender mash with butter, salt, pepper, milk and cream cheese until smooth (add more butter, milk or cheese to get desired consistency)
- In a pan on the stove, over medium high heat cook meat (season with salt and pepper) until brown.
- Drain grease before using.
- In a deep dish begin layering ingredients.
- First layer in the cooked meat.
- Second layer the two cans of creamed corn.
- Third layer the creamy mashed potatoes.
- Bake for 45-1 hr or until the top is golden brown and the pie is heated throughout.
- Serve warm with a little bit of butter on top of the potatoes!

photo credit: my own

SWEET POTATOES

I know that sweet potato fries are now the most popular thing on every menu - but there are so many other ways to enjoy sweet potatoes right out of the comfort of your own home. Sweet potatoes are rated as one of Canada's Health Guide's top ten food's to eat. They are extremely delicious, low in calories and high in vitamin A. They are a root vegetable and are native to the tropical parts of South America and were discovered there over 5,000 years ago!!

Here are some of my favourite sweet potato dishes:

Roasted Sweet Potato and Onions

Ingredients: 

- 1 small purple onion
- 2 sweet potatoes
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- salt and pepper

Directions:

- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- Chop onion into lengthwise slices
- Peep and wash sweet potato and cut into either strips or rounds (try to make them the same size as the onions)
- Place on baking sheet and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper until vegetables are evenly coated
- Bake for around 15-20 minutes

This dish is great as a side with chicken, pork and any type of meat, a defeinte staple in our house!

Baked Sweet Potato

Ingredients:

- Sweet potato (1 per person)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp sour cream
- salt and pepper

Directions:

- Preheat oven to 400 degree
- Place sweet potato on baking sheet
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the potato is tender enough for a fork to sink in
- Remove from oven
- Cut in half
- Place butter and sour cream atop the potato and finish with salt and pepper

A delicious (and healthy) alternative to a baked potato!