Microwave Sweet Potato Chips

Maybe you're like me, and you've tried and failed many a time with getting your sweet potatoes to crisp up. I had almost given up until my friend introduced me to this method. You make them in the microwave! And it actually works! And a plus is, you don't have to turn your oven on and heat up the house. I can't get enough of these! My kids love them too. It's so hard to resist eating the entire batch at once. I hope you'll give them a try :)

Microwave Sweet Potato Chips

Ingredients: 

1-2 pounds sweet potatoes 

Olive oil 

Salt & pepper to taste

Any other seasoning of choice (I used paprika and garlic powder) 

Directions: 

Thoroughly wash your potatoes, leaving the skin on. Using a mandolin set with the thinnest blade or crinkle cut blade, slice the potatoes and place them in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, just enough to lightly coat them. Don't use too much! There should be no oil sitting in the bottom of your bowl afterwards. Using your hands, gently toss the sliced potatoes until evenly coated with oil. At this time, spinkle with salt, pepper and any other seasonings you desire.

Grab a large plate or platter that will fit in your microwave and line it with parchment paper. Arrange your potato slices in one even layer and place in the microwave for 4-5 minutes. Flip them over and microwave another 4-5 minutes, until they begin to brown lightly. Remove from the parchment paper and allow the chips to cool completely before eating, at least 10-20 minutes. They will crisp even more as they cool. You will need to do this multiple until all your chips have been cooked. 

Each pound of potatoes will make about 2 servings. So make as much or as little as you want! They shrink up quit a bit as the cook. Enjoy!!

A couple other helpful notes:

-If you're able to change the settings on your microwave, put it in the very lowest setting! You want to give the chips plenty of time to dry out without burning them. 

-If you don't have a mandolin, go get one! I don't think this recipe is doable without one. I found mine at Ross for $5.99. 

Sugared Pecans

Ingredients:
2 egg whites
1/2 tbsp. water
1/2 tbsp. vanilla
1 lb. pecan halves
1 c. white sugar
3/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon


Directions: 
Preheat oven to 250 degrees, grease a cookie sheet and set aside. Place egg whites, water and vanilla in a mixing bowl and whisk vigorously for 60 seconds, until foamy. Add the pecans and stir well to coat. In a small bowl, toss together the sugar, salt and cinnamon. Sprinkle the sugar mixture into the pecan mixture and stir well to combine. Spread pecans evenly on the prepared cookie sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Notes: Every holiday season I've wanted to make these but I've never gotten around to it. This year pecans were on sale so I went for it! They were super easy to make and they turned out great! I put them in cello bags and gave them out as little Christmas gifts to friends and family.

PS: This is not my photo! I gave all my pecans away before I could take one...

Kettle Korn

Ingredients:
3 tbsp. vegetable oil, divided
1/2 c. popcorn kernels, divided
1/2 c. sugar, divided
food coloring, optional (I used 10 drops red & 12 drops neon blue)


Directions:
In a stove top popcorn popper (I have a 4 quart Whirley Pop) heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil over medium/high heat. Add 1/4 cup popcorn kernels, 1/4 cup sugar and food coloring if using and close the lid. Once you hear the kernels being to pop, stir constantly until they are completely done popping. Immediately transfer into a large serving bowl. The kettle korn will be extremely hot at first, so allow it to cool and then break it apart using your hands or a large spoon. Repeat the entire process with the second half of the ingredients. Makes about 12 cups of kettle corn.

Notes: If you don't have a Whirley Pop already, please get one! Whenever I make this stuff for parties or get-togethers it gets eaten up so fast! And it's so simple to make and hardly has any ingredients yet so tasty and addicting :)