Sweet Potato Rounds with Basil Salt and Garlic Mayo Dipping Sauce

I happen to LOVE all things sweet potato and these might be my favorite.  They are so easy to make and are the perfect side dish for just about any dinner.  I used to always make sweet potato fries by cutting the potatoes lengthwise into strips.  However, they never seemed to get crispy and would turn mushy quite fast.  I discovered that if you slice the sweet potatoes into 1/2 inch circles, they not only get crispier, but they also cook faster!  Also, I can't say enough about this dipping sauce; it is the perfect accompaniment to these "rounds."

 

Sweet Potato Rounds with Basil Salt and Garlic Mayo Dipping Sauce

Source: adapted from Giada De Laurentiis 

Yields: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients 

5 sweet potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch circles (you can choose to leave the skin on or peel the potatoes)

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3/4 cup mayonnaise

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
• Place the sweet potato "rounds" on a foil-lined baking sheet and toss with olive oil.  Bake for 20 minutes at 425 degrees.  THEN, turn on the broiler and broil for 2 more minutes (this is the key to making them crunchy).
• Meanwhile combine the basil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.  In another small bowl combine the mayonnaise, garlic, and lemon juice.  Stir to combine.
• When the sweet potato rounds come out of the oven, sprinkle with the basil salt.  Serve with the garlic mayonnaise alongside for dipping.