Sass up your baked sweet potato fries with this kale, watercress and walnut pesto. It’s dairy free and a great way to sneak in some more greens. Baked rather than fried these sweet potato fries are a delicious low carb side dish. Pair with your favourite source of protein or enjoy as a snack on their own.
Sweet potatoes are one of the starchier vegetables, so if you have an autoimmune condition that is particularly sensitive to starch have these as an occasional treat when not in a flare. Otherwise, sweet potatoes provide a great source of carbohydrate, especially good is you’re a gym bunny. They’re packed full of vitamin C, great for boosting collagen production in the skin (less fine lines people!) and also contain Vitamin D, essential for strong bones. Vitamin D plays an important role in our energy levels and our mood too. So lets get munching on some happy food…
Serves 2
Ingredients
- 2 sweet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Pinch of Pink Himalayan or sea salt
- 1 tablespoon of paprika
Kale, watercress and walnut pesto
- 50g Kale (stems removed)
- 20g watercress
- 100ml extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small clove of garlic
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 50g walnuts
- 1/2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
- Good pinch of Pink Himalayan or sea salt
To serve
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Grated cauliflower, sprinkling of nutritional yeast flakes or feta cheese (if you eat dairy)
Method
Preheat the oven to 190C (fan assisted.)
Slice the sweet potatoes into thin fries. Place on a baking tray. Toss with olive oil, paprika and salt and roast in the oven for 30 – 40 minutes until golden.
Kale, watercress and walnut pesto
Place the kale, watercress, extra virgin olive oil, salt, garlic, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice in a food processor and blitz until combined. Add the walnuts and pulse again until it reaches the consistency you like. I love it a little chunky for added crunch.
Top the baked sweet potato fries with the pesto, chopped fresh parsley and either grated cauliflower, pinch of nutritional yeast flakes or feta.
