Tuesday, June 23 - Portobello Burgers and Yam Fries

D has beach volleyball on Tuesday's so I've got dinner. Actually, we've agreed that we let the other know on our sports nights whether we'll be home for dinner or not. And we'd let each other know if we wanted the other to wait. D's been really sweet though. Ultimate on Wednesdays usually ends quite late but he's got food waiting for me anyway.

Portobello Burger's with Blue Cheese and Chipotle Sauce

2 caps per burger
1 oz of crumbled blue cheese per burger
1/2 T of your favorite chipotle BBQ sauce

Stem and brush the mushroom caps. You can remove the gills if you want but if they look pretty clean then don't bother. Plus since they'll go on a scorching BBQ, it should be okay if you give them a good brushing. We remove the gills if they're going into something where it'll look 'dirty' when the gills break off like in a risotto or cream sauce...

Crumble the blue cheese with a knife and set a side. Prepare the buns with butter or oil before toasting as you like.

Brush with olive oil and season with Salt and Pepper. BBQ on both sides a few minutes until softened. Close the cheese in between the two caps, inward facing like a clam to trap the cheese and the juices. Top with chipotle sauce and serve with Yam fries. MMMMMMM These are so amazing. You could try to putting the caps the other way like the inards facing the bun so that the bun soaks up the juice. Upto you.

Yam Fries

1 large yam 1lb - 1.5lbs
1/4 c olive oil
1 T bay seasoning
1 t garlic powder

Wash and Peel the yam. Slice first in half lengthwise so you have a stable flat bottom to do the rest of the slicing.

Preheat oven to 375F or if you like make them chunkier and do them on the BBQ. I really craved shoe string ones tonight though.

Slice each of the hemispheres into lengthwise slices about 1/2 cm thick (1/4 inch). Slice those into 1/2 cm fries. Toss in a large bowl with olive oil until they are all thoroughly coated. Mix the Bay spice and the garlic powder in a small bowl. Toss a bit on top of the fries and toss. Add the rest slowly so that it doesn't clump on just a few of the fries.

Spread evenly on a large baking sheet near the bottom of the oven. If you have convection, turn it on 375 convection. Toss with tongs about 15 minutes in. They should be soft by 25 min - 30 min. If they aren't crispy enough then you can put them on a higher rack and broil them for 2-3 minutes. Watch them. The high sugar content will make them burn quite quickly.