Cheesy Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients 

• 3-4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into thick strips
• ¾ cup processed cheese, grated
• For topping, grated Mozzarella cheese
• Oil for deep-frying
• Salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon refined flour (maida)
• 1 cup milk
• Crushed black peppercorns to taste
• 1 teaspoon red chilli flakes
• ½ teaspoon mixed dried herbs

Method

1. Blanch the sweet potatoes in sufficient salted water for 4-5 minutes. Transfer into a bowl of ice cold water; keep for some time and drain. Pat dry on a muslin cloth.
2. Heat sufficient oil in a pan. Deep-fry the strips till golden and crisp. Drain on absorbent paper.
3. Sprinkle salt on them and set aside.
4. Preheat oven to 180° C.
5. Heat butter in a non-stick pan. Add refined flour, mix and sauté for a minute.
6. Add milk and cook till the mixture thickens stirring continuously. Add salt, crushed peppercorns, ½ teaspoon chili flakes and mixed herbs and mix well.
7. Add processed cheese and mix till it melts.
8. Transfer the sweet potato fries into a casserole. Pour the cheese sauce and top with mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle remaining chili flakes and crushed peppercorns, place the casserole in the preheated oven and let the cheese gratinate.
9. Serve hot.