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Spring into flavor with these quick and delicious recipes made with all natural Alexia products.
I wrote recently about the 'invisible shortcuts' that can help make a summer themed gathering a far simpler task than it otherwise might be, essentially ways to please an entire family, adults and children alike. While ways to please 'the entire family' is a perennial and undying subject, the opposite end of the spectrum deserves its fair share of attention as well.
That was precisely what I had to take into consideration recently, as I hosted a close friend of mine for a dinner party the other night. I wanted to create something that was proudly and unabashedly for the more mature of palettes. However, I still wanted to keep the summer theme as my guiding principle.
There was just one problem, I waited until the last minute to actually begin planning out the menu, and so I needed something that I could prepare relatively quickly, and relatively easily. While ease and elegance are not typically associated with one another, I was nevertheless determined to try.
It is here that I will admit that I found my inspiration, and the evening's salvation, in one of the most unlikely of places; frozen French fries. I cannot place my finger on exactly why or how it clicked, but when I saw the fries during my last Walmart run, that is precisely what happened. As a result, I picked up several bags of Alexia Fries and Onion Rings, in particular the Crispy Onion Rings and the Sweet Potato Fries, as well as a bag of the Rosemary and Sea Salt Fries. Having tried these fries in the past, I knew that they were a quality product, and would fit in perfectly what I now I had in mind for the dinner party.
When I got home, I ended up preparing the meal in reverse. I started out by whipping up a batch of homemade ice cream. After the main course, I served the ice cream on a warm bed or nest of the sweet potato fries, which created for a delicious contrast between the chilled sweet of the ice cream, and the warm savory tones of the fries.
Sweet Potato Sundae Sweet Potato & Spinach Birds Nests Portobello & Onion Ring Burgers
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Ingredients
- Vanilla Ice Cream - store-bought or homemade
- 20 oz. bag of Alexia Sweet Potato Fries
- Honey, for drizzling
- Toasted Pecans, chopped and whole
- Course Sea Salt
- 20 oz. bag of Alexia Sweet Potato Fries
- 2 cups uncooked baby spinach
- 6 eggs
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 21/2 tbs. olive oil
- 4 - 5 slices of bacon
- 1/2 cup Italian parsley
- 1 tbs. lemon juice
- 8 oz. feta cheese
- 4 - Portobello mushrooms
- Fresh tomato - sliced thin
- Fresh red onion - sliced thin
- Your favorite fresh salad greens
- Favorite burger buns
- 13.5 oz. bag Alexia Onion Rings
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and bake Alexia Sweet Potato Fries for about 15 minutes until slightly golden.
- Scoop desired amount of ice cream in a bowl or glass. Place hot fries all around. Sprinkle with toasted pecans, drizzle with honey and add a pinch of course sea salt.
- Preheat Oven 400 degrees F.
- Prepare the bacon and set aside.
- Remove the fries from the freezer and leave out for a few minutes.
- Place the fries, salt, pepper and olive oil in the food processor and process until crumbly and manageable.
- Press the fries into prepared cupcake tins or paper cupcake holders.
- Bake in the oven for approximately 15 - 18 minutes; remove from the oven.
- In a food processor place the eggs, parsley, feta cheese and spinach and give a few chops.
- Fill each cup with the egg and spinach mixture. Top each cup with a few pieces of crumbled bacon.
- Bake 15 - 18 minutes or until set.
- Let cool a bit before trying to remove from the muffin cups. Gently, run a knife between the muffin cup and the potato crust.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line onion rings out on a baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes or until golden.
- Carefully take the stem off of the mushrooms and clean the mushroom cap.
- Brush each mushroom cap with olive oil.
- Heat a grill. Place the mushroom cap on the grill and place a heavy pan on the mushroom while grilling.
- Grill 8 - 10 minutes.
- Build the burger with your favorite burger bun, fresh salad greens, thinly sliced red onions, fresh tomato slices, grilled Portobello mushroom and Alexia Onion Rings.
- Serve with your favorite Alexia fries if desired, and condiments.
Notes
Prep Time does not include Inactive Prep Time
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert Appetizer Main Dish
Needless to say, the night was a success, due in no small part to inspiration from an unlikely source. On that note, what did you serve at your last dinner party? Or what is your surest way of making a dinner party a success? I would just love to hear from you.
Looking for more creative ideas to #SpringIntoFlavor with Alexia? Check out their various Pinterest boards of inspiration, then share and connect your creations on Facebook!
Enjoy with Love,
Catherine
xo
Stephanie says
Oh my! I knew Alexia fries were amazing, but you have taken upscale to a new level with these recipes. YUM! #client
tanna says
Such a delightful blend of flavor and deliciousness! blessings ~ tanna
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Ooh I love this savory sweet blend! This is so yum 🙂
Michaele says
I thought it was just our family that enjoyed fries dipped in ice cream. Guess we can come out of the closet now. Sweet potatoe fries would be wonderful with ice cream!
Chiara says
I love the nest, so yummy !Have a nice day my dear, xoxo
ssue|theviewfromgreatisland says
Could this be any more creative? I love Alexia fries!!
Dottie Sauchelli-Balin says
Dear Catherine, Michael, and Tammy...
First thanks for always sharing your wonderful recipes and thoughts. This is another fabulous post with stories and recipes that are outstanding. When I was expecting my son...I would love to eat ice cream and french fries. But my favorite is sweet pot fries. In fact I just purchased from the store sweet potatoes so I may just have to try this one for sure. I just printed out this info. The honey and the nuts are a welcomed added ingredients that just give it that extra flavor and texture. Your spinach feta birds-nests look so pretty and healthy plus of course that Portobello sweet potato burgers. Fantastic! Have a great and blessed week. Thanks again..(plus the photos are so terrific, I guess that was Tammy.
Dottie 🙂
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
I would love to try those sweet potatoes too. Those nests look right up my alley!
Ginny Hartzler says
Everything here is too pretty to be good for you! The kids would eat all of these, not knowing they are healthy. The sundae and the nests; you come up with the coolest most original recipes!
Comedy Plus says
Oh yummy. All of them look and sound so yummy.
Have a fabulous day my friend. Big hugs. ♥♥♥