Thanksgiving isn’t looking all that great in the US of A this year guys. COVID is on the rise again and our last election has left many people at odds with each other.
So if you’re having a lean Thanksgiving this year and need to figure out side dishes that won’t create left overs until Christmas, here’s a healthy and vegan option for you.
The Drink:
Have you ever wondered what Smurf blood might taste like? Because I think this kombucha is made of Smurf’s blood*.
This is GT’s Limited 25th Anniversary Kombucha: Sacred Life.
If I could describe the taste, I’d say somewhere between blue raspberry, blueberries, and that blue cotton candy that isn’t actually food, but is sold at a carnival near you to all the hyper kids. It certainly smells like a mix of blueberries and raspberries. It’s also not sweet, but tart.
Overall it’s not bad…it’s also not good. I’d say it’s just fine as far as Kombuchas go. If you want something electric blue to go with your meal, this is an option.
The Food:
What you’ll need:
- 1 long thin sweet potato
- Avocado oil
- Salt
- Smoked Paprika
Preheat the oven to 2500F.
Clean the sweet potato so that all of the dirt is removed. Do not peel, you’ll want the skins. The reason you’ll want a long thin sweet potato is to help with cooking faster. Fat potatoes will take longer.
Thinly slice the sweet potato so that each slice is less than a quarter of an inch thick (use a mandolin blade if you have one). Place in a mixing bowl with the avocado oil, a sprinkle of salt, and a dash or two paprika. Toss together.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Layout the sweet potato slices out so that they are a single layer and none overlap.
Bake for 1 hour.
Remove from the oven. Flip the sweet potatoes and place back in the oven for another half hour to a full hour. I recommend checking every 15 to 20 minutes to make sure nothing burns. You’ll want to remove the chips when they begin to curl.
Allow the chips to rest out of the oven for 10 minutes before eating (this allows for more crispness).
The Pairing:
Though I’m not 100% sold on the Sacred Life Kombucha, it doesn’t detract from nor enhance the flavor of these awesome sweet potato chips. I love the smoked paprika with the sweetness of the sweet potato (say that 5 times fast). Some of the chips are crispy and a few are a little gooey, but each tastes wonderful. For extra crisp leave in the oven a little longer.
Level of Recommendation: Have the chips as a side dish or appetizer for your Thanksgiving meal…try the kombucha at your own curiosity.
*To my knowledge, no Smurfs were harmed in the creation of this drink.
Cooking with Spirits 