Sweet Potato Pecan Salad

 Ingredients:

4 stalks celery, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces 

1 red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces 

1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for finishing salad

1 teaspoon Ras El Hanout (a Morrocan spice) or ground coriander

1 teaspoon finely minced fresh rosemary 

Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper 

1 cup green grapes, cut in half 

1 cup toasted pecans

1/2 cup pomegranate seeds 

1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions 

1/4 cup golden raisins 

Sherry vinegar, as needed

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place a baking sheet in the oven to heat. Toss the celery, sweet potatoes and red onions with the olive oil, ras el hanout and rosemary in a mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the mixture to the heated baking sheet and roast until the potatoes are tender and caramelized, about 30 minutes. Let the sweet potato mixture cool to room temperature before proceeding. (Or, if preparing ahead of time, cool the sweet potato mixture in the fridge, removing it 30 minutes before proceeding to allow it to come to room temperature.) Toss the sweet potato mixture in a large bowl with the grapes, pecans, pomegranate seeds, scallions and raisins. Toss the salad with sherry vinegar and olive oil to taste. Add salt and pepper as needed.

(My sister Kim (Broussard) Bevis makes this and roasts the sweet potatoes, celery, with olive oil & cinnamon and then chills. Them mixes with grapes, pecans, golden raisins and tosses in vinaigrette.)

Kim (Broussard) Bevis

Recipe of Chef Geoffrey Zakarian from Food Network

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/geoffrey-zakarian/sweet-potato-pecan-salad-2656611 

“Every one can cook. If you try. If you put a little love into it.” Chef Leah Case