Sweet Potato Wedges with Roasted Garlic Aioli

    Now that the holidays are over, I am back on a health kick. I really let the holidays get out of hand and now I am paying for it! Let's just say, I may have gained a few lost pounds back. Oops! So in order to detox from all of the eating and drinking I did over the past couple of months, I decided to start with cutting refined sugar and carbs from my diet again. Obviously, I didn't cut carbs completely, I am still eating fruit and beans and sweet potatoes. I think some foods are just too nutrition packed to avoid completely and that's why I am enjoying them in moderation.
   I made these last week to go with cheese burgers(no bun). I whipped up a quick and delicious garlic aioli to dip them in. I have since cut back on my fat intake also. (Baby steps.) But even with the dipping sauce, this is still pretty healthy. Everything in moderation, right?

 

 

Sweet Potato Wedges with Roasted Garlic Aioli
serves 4

 

For the potatoes:

2 sweet potatoes, each cut into 8 wedges
Olive oil
Rosemary, chopped
Salt&pepper

 

For the aioli:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 head roasted garlic
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp horseradish
Juice of one lemon

 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Toss sweet potato wedges with olive oil, rosemary, and salt&pepper. Evenly place wedges on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 until done.

 

For the aioli:
To roast the garlic, cut off the end of the bulb so the tops of the cloves are exposed. Place in a small dish and pour olive oil over the top and season with salt&pepper. Cover with foil and roast on 350 for 45-60 minutes until very soft when poked with a fork.
Once cooled, squeeze the cloves out of the head and mash with a fork. Combine the mashed roasted garlic with the remaining ingredients.

 

Dip the sweet potatoes in the aioli and Enjoy!

 

Chicken Chili with White Beans

  

    I absolutely love soups and stews, especially chili! It is one of my favorite things about cold weather, and here lately, it's about the only good thing about the weather we are having. Well chili, boots, and scarves are about the only good things about this yucky weather! I usually make my chili nice and spicy with beef and kidney beans. But this time I wanted something a little milder so I decided to go with chicken chili. Chicken chili is just as yummy and much lighter than traditional beef chili. I kept it mild this time by using diced green chilis but I have used jalapeños in the past when I wanted some heat. Of course this recipe is best when simmered for several hours for  it to thicken and for the flavors to meld but it would still be delicious after 30 minutes or so.

 

 

Chicken Chili with White Beans

 

1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
olive oil
3-4 cups cooked chicken, shredded
2tsp cumin
1/2 tsp Chipotle pepper powder(can substitute chili powder)
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 cans diced green chilis or jalapeños
2 cans white beans, rinsed
1 can diced tomatoes
4 cups chicken broth

Garnishes:

sour cream
green onions
cheese

 

In a large stock pot, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until translucent. Add chicken and spices, and stir to combine. Add remaining ingredients and bring to boil. Turn heat down low and simmer for several hours if possible.
Serve in soup bowls with desired toppings. I like to top mine with the a dollop of sour cream and stir it in to make it nice and creamy. Yummmm!