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Do you ever find yourself so immersed in
the daily tasks of life that time just seems to escape from
you? You keep meaning to pick up the phone and say hello to
a friend you haven’t spoken to in ages but you get so
wrapped up in your own life that the days turn into weeks
which turn into months. I know I do. Now if the relationship
is solid, you can pick up where you last left off without
missing a beat but sometimes it does take time and effort
to keep those friendship fires burning.
Last week I had the good fortune to meet
a group of ladies that reminded me how important it is to
keep throwing those logs on the fire! I gave a cooking class
to 8 wonderful ladies who have been meeting for dinner once
a month for over 35 years. Together they have gone through
marriages, divorces, births, deaths, illnesses, adversities
and triumphs. The one constant however has been their friendship
and their ability to take time to nurture it.
In planning the menu with two of the ladies,
I thought “What could I possibly teach these women that
they haven’t already experienced together?” I’ve
never struggled over a menu so much before but in the end,
it didn’t matter what I prepared for them. I could have
served them a peanut butter and jam sandwich and they would
have been happy! They were content to share each other’s
company again; talk about what was going on in each of their
lives and to share with me some wonderful stories of their
dining adventures together. What a treat!
After a long 5 hour class, I went home exhausted
but thrilled and inspired to meet this great group of friends.
It was too late to call any of my friends that night but come
the next morning I was the queen of the social butterflies!
So ladies, “Come on over. You bring the wine, I’ll
make the peanut butter sandwiches and let’s talk about
nothing but everything!”
Sweet Potato Fritters are the perfect
sharing food to nibble on with a glass of wine. I make them
in batches and freeze them in advance. Then when it’s
time for some girl company, I pop them in a 375 oven for 20
minutes or until they’re heated through. A bit more
work than a peanut butter sandwich but then aren’t your
friends worth it?
SWEET POTATO FRITTERS
Makes 12 fritters
Preparation Time: 15 minutes + 2 hour refrigeration
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
· Vegetable oil
· 800g sweet potato, peeled and coarsely grated
· 6 green onions, chopped
· 1 teaspoon grated lime zest,
green part only
· ½ cup coriander leaves, roughly chopped
· 2 red chillies (preferably Serrano), seeded and finely
chopped
· 75g ( ½ cup) plain flour
· Salt and pepper to taste
· 3 eggs, separated
· 1 cup sesame seeds
· Sweet Chili Sauce, for dipping
1. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
in a large non-stick pan, add sweet potato and stir over high
heat for 3-4 minutes or until just soft. Remove from heat,
cool slightly.
2. In a medium bowl, combine cooled potato, green onions,
lime zest, coriander, chillies and flour. Season to taste
with salt and pepper. Add egg yolks and mix until well combined.
3. Using an electric mixer or hand held mixer, whisk egg whites
until soft peaks form, then gently fold into sweet potato
mixture. Shape ¼ cupfuls into 12 small rounds (about
5cm diameter).
4. Place sesame seeds on a plate. Coat the fritters all over
with the sesame seeds, using your fingers to press the seeds
down. Place on a baking tray, lined with parchment paper,
cover and refrigerator for 2 hours. (Note: The fritters can
be prepared and kept in the refrigerator up to 24 hours.)
5. Heat enough oil to cover the base of a large non-stick
frying pan and cook fritters, in batches, on both sides. Drain
on paper towel. (Note: Cooked fritters can be frozen in an
airtight container. Reheat in a 180C/375F oven until heated
through. Approximately 30 minutes for frozen and 20 for defrosted
fritters.
6. Serve fritters on their own or with a sweet chili sauce
for dipping.
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Nadine Hughes is a mother of two and a Home Entertainer
with a vibrant personality and memorable cooking style.
As the owner of The Cook’s Companion, Nadine offers
lifestyle cooking and entertaining classes for adults,
teens and private at home classes. She is also a food
writer, guest speaker and television presenter. For
more information on these services or The Menu Companion
– dinner party menu planners, visit www.thecookscompanion.ca
and www.themenucompanion.com.
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