Girls Night In and Yucca Fries

on April 22, 2010
in All Posts

Megan came over over for a girls night in!

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We did girly stuff like paint our nails and watch Sixteen and Pregnant.

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Plus, we drank a lot of wine, and I ate crackers and salsa.

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I also made us a great dinner.  Megan said she was “CRAVING VEGGIES” so I happily compiled:

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The star of dinner was definitely the yucca fries.  I’ve never made yucca fries before, and I think the secret to not to bake them too long.  I overbaked these and they were a little too crunchy. 

 

This recipe would work well with parsnips fries or sweet potato fries as well!

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Orange Zest Yucca Fries

 

Ingredients (2 servings):

 

  • 1 large yucca root
  • 1 orange, zested
  • 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
  • Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

 

Directions:

 

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Peel yucca root and cut into fry-sized pieces.
  • Mix orange zest, chili powder, salt and pepper, and olive oil in a large bowl.
  • Add in yucca fries and stir, coating entirely.
  • Place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes MAX.

 

We also had corn and broccoli:

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And an English muffin with 1/2 a black bean burger (Morningstar brand). 

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Dessert was a small bowl of coconut ice cream with shredded coconut on top:

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And guess whaaaaat?  The Operation Beautiful video was featured on the latest Oprah Winfrey Network mailer – check it out here!  🙂 If you guys post any OB notes, be sure to e-mail them to me at seebriderun@gmail.com.  I put them all on the site so include a blog link if you have one!

 

What’s your favorite type of “fry”?  Baked or fried? Curly, straight, crinkled?  Regular, sweet potato, parsnip?  Or something new and exciting?  I love those curly (fried) fries… the ones that kind of uncurl as you pull them out of the basket! Mmmm.

{ 95 comments }

 

  • Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin April 22, 2010, 10:06 pm

    Ahhh congrats Caitlin!!! I’m so excited for you! I have yet to post an Operation Beautiful note but REALLY want to do one soon… I have a good idea for an interesting place for one so I’ll send it your way when I do.

    I love sweet potato fries the most… especially the real fried ones you get in a restaurant. But I also love steak fries and curly fries and baked fries and every kind of fry.. lol. i dont discriminate.

  • Michele April 22, 2010, 10:15 pm

    CONGRATS! Everything that you have done with Operation Beautiful is amazing! You should be so proud!

    Also, my favorite fries are my mom’s sweet potato-lemon fries. Yum!

    I also love Arby’s curly fries. (sue me)

    • Caitlin April 22, 2010, 10:17 pm

      its so much bigger than me now… i think that’s the best thing about the site! i love that the message is getting the attention. more people need to hear about self love! but yes i am very happy 🙂

  • Jenny April 22, 2010, 10:16 pm

    Baked sweet potatoes with BBQ dipping sauce, for sure! Congrats on the oprah mailer!

  • Midgetkeeper April 22, 2010, 10:18 pm

    Congrats Caitlin, that is so amazing!

    I love sweet potato fries the best.

  • Lauren April 22, 2010, 10:20 pm

    Long time reader, first time commenter!

    I must say that nothing can beat good sweet potato fries, espec if you can dip them in my fav maple/cinnamon dipping sauce. And while they aren’t my favorite tasting anymore, nothing beats the smell of some fresh McDonald’s fries..load on the sodium!

    And while I have no idea what or where to find a Yucca, your fries also look delic! Great girls’ night.

    • Caitlin April 23, 2010, 9:20 am

      thanks for delurking 🙂 Hi!

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing April 22, 2010, 10:23 pm

    Congrats on OB!!! So exciting!!!!
    I looove sweet potato fries but curly fries are the BOMB!!!!

  • Caroline April 22, 2010, 10:24 pm

    My favorite fry has to be burger kings if I am really going to say it and be honest! I also love most any kind of sweet potato fries but if health and calories weren’t an issue and ethics for that matter, I would eat BK fries all day!

  • Mish@EatingJourney April 22, 2010, 10:25 pm

    congrats.

  • Matt April 22, 2010, 10:32 pm

    Baked sweet potato fries in coconut oil = heaven.

  • Jessica @ WHY DONTCHA RUN April 22, 2010, 10:33 pm

    Ah, I loooooove a girls night in! 🙂 It looks like you two had a great time. I got to enjoy a nice evening run with one of my girly friends tonight and it was absolutely glorious! 🙂

  • Run Sarah April 22, 2010, 10:36 pm

    So awesome about Operation Beautiful! I love crispy sweet potato fries.

  • Gina G April 22, 2010, 10:38 pm

    i love sweet potato fries dipped in ketchup and for not so healthy, i love bowling alley good old regular crinkly fries! yum!

  • Amanda April 22, 2010, 10:40 pm

    Ahh girls night!! Happens so infrequently now that I live with my boyfriend … looks like a great time 🙂 Fav fries would have to be sweet potato OR curly … curly if only for the nostalgic value because they take me back to the roller skating rink circa 6th grade haha

  • Lisa (I'm an Okie) April 22, 2010, 10:42 pm

    Gotta love girls night–I had one myself tonight!

    I’ve never tried yucca fries–didnt even know what yucca was until about 2 months ago!

    I’m all about the curly fries!

  • Tara April 22, 2010, 10:50 pm

    girls nights are awesome! I’m on my own tonight since the husband is at the Sox game! Early bedtime here I come! Yep, I really live it up over here… woohoo!!

  • Candice April 22, 2010, 10:51 pm

    What a fun night! I haven’t had a girls night in WAY too long. Will have to fix that asap:)

    Hmmm, about the fries, I’m thinking curly. I haven’t had them in ages, but they probably are my all time favorite!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is April 22, 2010, 10:56 pm

    Sweet! Though I have to say, did you ever have Kennywood’s fries?! Talk about a foodgasm.

    • Caitlin April 23, 2010, 9:21 am

      I never made it to Kennywood 🙁

  • Amber April 22, 2010, 11:02 pm

    Fun! Girls nights are the best 🙂

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) April 22, 2010, 11:09 pm

    I love baked sweet potato fries. Sometimes the oily fried ones are great but usually baked is my choice.

  • Lisa April 22, 2010, 11:11 pm

    I got my toes did today! Love girl’s night. 🙂

  • Lizz (leadingthegoodlife) April 22, 2010, 11:15 pm

    Waffle fries!! (or seasoned curly fries…or sweet potato fries…)

  • Jacquie April 22, 2010, 11:20 pm

    Yay for girls night! and yay for Operation Beautiful! I’m so proud of you and everything you’ve done.

    I love that shape of curly fries, but I love love love sweet potato fries. The first time I had them was in a diner near culinary school with homemade honey mustard sauce. It changed my life.

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) April 22, 2010, 11:22 pm

    I love sweet potato fries!!

    Congrats on the video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • maria @ Chasing the Now April 22, 2010, 11:22 pm

    Spiced curly fries are also my favorite! 🙂

  • Samantha April 22, 2010, 11:26 pm

    Girl time rocks!

    My fave fries are parsnips but you can’t find them on island. I just bought my first yucca this week to make fries with. Can’t wait!

    Great news on the video (which is great btw!), how exciting!

  • Ash Bear April 22, 2010, 11:40 pm

    I absolutely love perfectly crispy sweet potato fries! I’m going to try parsnip fries this weekend hopefully!

    Your night looks like so much fun!

  • *Andrea* April 22, 2010, 11:51 pm

    love girls nights!!! congrats about the oB news 🙂

  • Amber K @ sparkpeople April 22, 2010, 11:55 pm

    Taste-wise, I absolutely adore fried curly fries. Especially dipped in a creamy tangy sauce. But the pain I feel afterwards makes them not worth it!

    And health-wise I like baked potato wedges with mustard. Still good, just in a different way.

  • Larissa April 23, 2010, 12:08 am

    waffle fries! but steak fries are a close second!

  • Camille April 23, 2010, 12:12 am

    Aww, I love girls nights 🙂
    Have fun!

  • Marissa April 23, 2010, 12:16 am

    I never thought to top coconut ice cream with coconut. You are a genius!!

  • Dominique April 23, 2010, 12:54 am

    Yay for girls’ night in. And double yay for OB getting the attention it deserves–especially on OWN.

    Great minds must think alike as I had yucca fries for lunch today. I made them the night before though to save me some time in the morning. I really love yucca fries and am glad it’s so easy and cheap to make at home. My BF and I were recently at a Venezuelan restaurant and got an order of yucca fries for $4…it was almost 50 cents per fry 🙁 And the same deal at the local zoo–it’s almost $1 per fry–not cool. Now I can have all the yucca fries I want for a fraction of the cost.

  • Mastering Public Health April 23, 2010, 1:18 am

    Congratulations on all the success of Operation Beautiful and now Oprah! I think the ideal “fry” is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I was lucky enough to try Candle 79’s (NYC) famous “Polenta Fries” a few weeks ago and they are indeed crispy on the outside and warm and soft on the inside. An unexpected combination (polenta as a fry) — and much “fatter” (excuse the word!) than the traditional fry — but very delicious and the perfect combination of textures! (Wow, that’s some serious fry-analysis).

  • Charlotte April 23, 2010, 1:20 am

    Ahh I loved your video, and it was SO crazy hearing your voice for the first time! Isn’t it funny how we imagine bloggers’ voices a certain way?

    • Caitlin April 23, 2010, 9:22 am

      hehe everyone says i have an accent. 🙂

  • Wei-Wei April 23, 2010, 2:05 am

    My favorite type of fry is baked sweet potato… though curly, heavily seasoned plain potato fries cut it at a close second 😀

    CONGRATULATIONS ON OPRAH! You’ve come such a long way! Here’s your OB dose of the day:

    Caitlin, you’re not only beautiful on the inside and outside, but you’re smart, have your own opinion, and now… you’re going to be FAMOUS for something so beautiful and genius that it’s going to change the entire WORLD! 🙂 It’s true!

    Happy Friday!

    Wei-Wei

    • Caitlin April 23, 2010, 9:22 am

      thanks doll… I hope OB becomes famous! I don’t wanna be! LOL

  • Kilee April 23, 2010, 2:33 am

    Definitely baked sweet potato fries! I could eat only those for dinner and be a happy camper!

  • Freya @ Brit Chick Runs April 23, 2010, 2:48 am

    I’m all about the sweet potato and parsnip fries, baked with a drizzel of agave with lots of cinnamon and garlic…it’s a mouthgasm waiting to happpen!
    Hehe, sounds like you had fun – I miss girly nights 🙁

  • Rika April 23, 2010, 3:43 am

    I used to LOOOOVE criscut fries from Carl’s Jr.!!.. the seasoning is to die for

  • Laura April 23, 2010, 3:46 am

    Superstar! So exciting for you! Your next task is to do an opposite to Jamie Oliver, and ship OB out to Britain-I think we are in dire need of something like that, my Mum has such terrible problems with the girls she is in charge of at her school- self esteem issues, mentak health problems, violence, extreme bullying- maybe nothing surprising for the U.S., but its a very new phenomenon over here ;( I love, love girlie nights in especially sponsored by Sex in the City! You can’t beat big ol’ chunky chips- especially fish n chip shop chips after a night out… did I just right that on a healthy eating blog? Ooops!

    • Laura April 23, 2010, 3:59 am

      Oh, and Happy St George’s Day to your husband and his family! Have a beer for all of us!

      • Caitlin April 23, 2010, 9:23 am

        awww i’m sorry to hear about the girls at your mum’s school! she should show the girls OB!

  • Rachel (Suburban Yogini) April 23, 2010, 5:03 am

    If I said crinkle cut chips would you know what I was talking about? If not your husband might! 🙂

  • Foy Update - Cook. Garden. Write. Repeat. April 23, 2010, 5:12 am

    Yucca fries are interesting. Are you talking yucca the spikey plant or yucca/casava plant? We ate a lot of yucca/casava when we lived in Panama and the secret is soaking the yucca/casava in hot salty water for 10 minutes before baking the fries. It helps keep the insides soft and the outsides crisp.

    • Caitlin April 23, 2010, 9:23 am

      its the waxy root of the plant… not sure which one.

  • Marina April 23, 2010, 5:20 am

    I never saw yuca, I wonder how it tastes like. I like sweet potatoe fries, regular potato isn’t my thing really. But I haven’ try parsnip or yucca.

  • Judy (cookbook maven) April 23, 2010, 5:54 am

    I used to love fast food fries — but now don’t even like them anymore. It’s sweet potato fries all the way.

    I’m actually eating the garlic sweet potato fries from “Thrive” for breakfast these days.

    I’m trying the peanut butter ones Angela wrote about — they’re in the oven as we “speak” — but even tho I adore PB, I’m thinking I’ll prefer the garlic fries better. We’ll see!

  • andi April 23, 2010, 6:30 am

    congrats! that’s super exciting. french fries (and really any potato) are my favorite food, and i love the mushy ones the best. my fiancé gives me the mushy ones and he eats the crispy ones. it’s a good match apparently :P.

  • Lisa of Lisa at Home April 23, 2010, 6:41 am

    Parmesan fries are my absolute favorite!! And congrats on the OB video! How great!

  • Hedda April 23, 2010, 6:58 am

    I have fallen in love with parsnip fries! Actually, my entire family has 🙂

    To watch your video on Oprah made me so happy Caitlin, because I am one of the persons your project has helped. To learn about it and most of all be a part of it has helped me in so many ways. It has boosted my self-esteem and my determination to make the necessary changes in my life. Compare me today to the girl I was a couple of months back and there is a world of positive difference.
    Thank you 🙂

  • Lauren April 23, 2010, 6:59 am

    Congratulations girl. What a rush that must have been for you to see this for the first time!!

  • Heather C April 23, 2010, 7:02 am

    Curly fries = Definitely a fave! they always have *that* seasoning, right? Ugh, SO GOOD.

    Ok, I grew up in New Mexico and the Yucca is our “state plant” (I’m pretty sure…ha..). However, I have NEVER seen a Yucca in a store, that I know of, and certainly never heard of people buying/baking them until recently. Where do you find these things?! It’s on my list of new stuff to buy. Gotta start searching…

  • Tonyne @ The Unlikely Success Story April 23, 2010, 7:06 am

    How fun! I love 16 and Pregnant and Wine! 🙂 I am now hooked on Parsnip Fries…thanks to you. :p

  • Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) April 23, 2010, 7:11 am

    Sweet potato fries all the way!!! Preferrably baked, but I’ll take them fried if I’m eating out. 😀

    I’ve never even tried Yucca, but it looks delish! And I love the name, which I am probably pronouncing very wrong. :mrgreen:

  • Amanda (Amanda "runs") April 23, 2010, 7:16 am

    I like curly fries with cheese avaliable @ most boardwalks. (sorry vegans!) That Girl’s Nite In seemed like fun! I love how you painted your nails & watched 16 and Pregnant! Congrats on OB!

  • Neely April 23, 2010, 7:30 am

    FIVE GUYS FRIES

  • steph-exercise physiologist and artist! April 23, 2010, 7:45 am

    Caitlin that is so awesome about OB.
    Self love is so important and can change your entire life once you find it within yourself. I still struggle with it but I am still light-years away from where I used to be and i hope to help others get there too via post-its or my blog.

    I love oven baked regular potatoes with a little salt and pepper and a LOT of catsup’s.
    I really love fried sweet potato fries. Watiki in Downtown has killer SP fries. No catsup’s needed for those.

  • Tina April 23, 2010, 7:51 am

    I love sweet potato fries. Either baked or fried. I have never had parsnip fries though so I can’t judge those. 🙂

    The video is great! I think Operation Beautiful is one of the best causes out there in regards to helping women’s confidence. One of these days I will actually get a picture of a post it I put up. Maybe today 🙂

  • Shawna @ Balancing Me April 23, 2010, 7:52 am

    I’m with you – I love the curly fries! Or those “natural” fries with the skins on them that you get at the fairs. YUM!!!

  • Megan April 23, 2010, 7:53 am

    Though I’ve been finding and making my own batches of new types of fries, I must say they are more of a comfort food to me that brings back memories, so I go old school. Give me a batch of thick cut, real idaho fries any day. I remember being in heaven when I first visited the east coast and now miss drizzling vinegar over fries instead of ketchup!

  • Diana (Mymarblerye) April 23, 2010, 7:56 am

    MY girls nights always involve chocolate while yours has veggies..maybe I should make the switch? 🙂 My favorite thing lately is Angela’s Nutty parsnip fries!

  • Deva (Voracious Vorilee) April 23, 2010, 8:00 am

    My favorite variety of fry are the fresh cut, fresh fried boardwalk-type fry with malt vinegar. SOOO good and crispy 🙂

  • Lauren April 23, 2010, 8:19 am

    I love the sweet potato fries from Big Daddy’s. I’m pretty sure they are the best SP fries in the world. You MUST check them out when you move to Charlotte!

  • Kristin (Cook, Bake and Nibble) April 23, 2010, 8:21 am

    Congrats on the Oprah network!

    I love baked sweet potato fries at home, but nothing beats a good fried curly fry 🙂

    xo
    K

  • Kelly April 23, 2010, 8:58 am

    Wow, that’s really so amazing, congrats! And I’m with you I love curly fries with zesty seasoning on them.

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) April 23, 2010, 8:59 am

    mmmmm…i love spicy, curly fries, but some of my favorites are the garlic fries at this little place on Pier 39 in san francisco. those fries = heaven!

  • Heather @ Side of Sneakers April 23, 2010, 9:02 am

    I love sweet potato fries and spicy curly fries..yum! I love a good girls night in 😉

  • Lindsay @ The Ketchup Diaries April 23, 2010, 9:19 am

    So many congrats! That is so exciting!! Favorite fries are steak fries because they’re thick and soak up LOTS OF KETCHUP!!

  • Christina April 23, 2010, 9:21 am

    That is one girly night! Sounds like fun 🙂 And congrats!!!

    My favorite fries are bakes sweet potato fries with cinnamon. They smell SO good while cooking!

  • Therese April 23, 2010, 9:22 am

    Congrats on the video! You’re like, famous or something!

    I LOVE sweet potatoe fries! I love them so much that I don’t think I’ve had white potato fries in almost two years! Baked or fried, I don’t care! Just give ’em to me!!!

  • Heather (runningwithsass.com) April 23, 2010, 9:23 am

    I love curly fries!!
    looks like a fun night!

  • brandi April 23, 2010, 9:23 am

    congrats on the video! So exciting 😉

    Did they spell your name wrong in that mailing?

    • Caitlin April 23, 2010, 9:56 am

      yessss.

      • brandi April 23, 2010, 9:57 am

        ah, regardless, you’re in an OPRAH newsletter 🙂 Crazy, right?

  • Kathleen April 23, 2010, 9:50 am

    I love sweet potato fries!

  • Stephanie April 23, 2010, 9:50 am

    sweet potato fries seasoned with a mixture of coconut oil & curry powder, then baked and served with a mint yogurt chutney, my new obsession!

    http://cookinfanatic.wordpress.com/2010/04/05/tamarind-chicken/

  • Ashley April 23, 2010, 9:55 am

    even though homemade sweet potato fries that are baked are tasty….. NOTHING beats sweet potato fries that are actually fried that you get in a restaurant. nope, nothing does. this place near my house serves sweet potato fries with a caramel dipping sauce… MUST GO THERE ASAP 🙂 come back to bmore and we can go together!

  • Ellen April 23, 2010, 9:58 am

    I’m a sweet potato fry girl, and if they are in a waffle shape, even better. I love that your girls night in was soo HEALTHY. Inspiring, as always! And yeah, 16 and Pregnant is pretty mucy my favorite show right now 🙂

    http://www.firednfabulous.blogspot.com/

  • claudia April 23, 2010, 10:54 am

    I have been enjpying a CARROT fry lately. They are crunchy and sweet. you just have to make sure that they are slightly blackened to get the right flavor. They are sooooo good with ketchup and mustard.

  • Susan April 23, 2010, 11:23 am

    Does poutine count? Fries + gravy + cheese = WIN.

  • Rebecca @ How the Cookie's Crumble April 23, 2010, 12:25 pm

    Oh man, it’s only 9:30am and now I’ve got fries on the brain! I love all fries! Maybe I need to make some baked ones. and soon.

  • Sami April 23, 2010, 12:32 pm

    ohhhhhh girls nights are the bestttttt.

    i like butternut squash fries! 🙂 ever tried them?

    • Caitlin April 23, 2010, 3:50 pm

      yessss so good.

  • Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly April 23, 2010, 5:31 pm

    Oh hands down Arby’s curly fries!!! YUM!!

  • Ivy April 23, 2010, 7:17 pm

    Caitlin, you MUST. TRY. THESE. FRIES. —-> http://ohsheglows.com/2010/04/16/these-fries-will-change-your-life/

    Yum.

  • Alan April 25, 2010, 1:51 pm

    Does poutine count? Fries + gravy + cheese = WIN.

  • Sam April 25, 2010, 10:37 pm

    ohhhhhh girls nights are the bestttttt.

    i like butternut squash fries! 🙂 ever tried them?

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