According to Wikipedia, a mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family that’s plucked, or strummed. This is not to be confused with a mandoline, which according to Wikipedia is a cooking utensil used for slicing and for cutting juliennes and with suitable attachments can make crinkle-cuts.
I know I can’t play a mandolin, though I used to play cello back in the day. And I’m not so sure about “playing” the Pampered Chef mandoline I have. Thus I have the madoline blues while I prepare my recipe for the Alexia Foods “Reinvent a Classic” French fry contest.
I found out that my mandoline has so many safety features, it’s a complete hassle to do a cross cut. I think I’ve figured out how to do it, but need to practice a bit more.
However, my first few tries at making waffle cut fries weren’t very well done. They were too thin on one end, OK in the middle, and a little thick on the end.I guess it’s all about practicing with the mandoline, and figuring out how much pressure I put on the sweet potato as I slice it.
Flavoring my sweet potato fries
I don’t know if you can see my apron, but it’s from Mexico and features Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) images. There’s a reason I chose to wear it for the photos my son, Nathan, took of me peeling the sweet potatoes and using the mandoline. That’s because it gives some clues about what flavors I’ll be using for my entry into the Alexia Foods “Reinvent a Classic” French fry contest.
No, I won’t be making Mexican taco flavored French fries. Or using spicy Mexican ingredients, since Alexia already makes Spicy Sweet Potato Julienne Fries with chipotle seasonings. Like I mentioned in my first post about the contest, I’m basing my recipe on a cocktail.
Mexican cocktail = MARGARITA!
No, I will not be using tequila, but another food product from the agave plant – agave nectar. There will be salt and lime, too. And maybe some olive oil, garlic, and oregano. And just for fun, maybe some mint.
I’ll be revealing the final recipe by the contest deadline on July 20. Stay tuned!
More about Alexia Foods
You can learn more about Alexia Foods and their products on their website. You can also print out a $1 off coupon and find Alexia Foods products using their store locator. Also, you can find Alexia Foods on Facebook.
You can also follow the competing bloggers on Twitter via the #AlexiaFoods hashtag, too.
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Disclosure: I am being compensated for my time in working with Alexia Foods on this project. All opinions are my own.
I’m helping Alexia Foods “Reinvent a Classic” French fry #alexiafoods
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I had the mandoline blues this weekend too. I was trying to slice cabbage razor thin and gave up with half the head of cabbage. The search is on.
My Pampered Chef lady commented on Facebook that I was placing my mandoline the wrong way. It should be parallel with your body, not perpendicular to it. Like I wrote, I need more practice.
Ooooh, your flavor combinations sound quite intriguing. Look at you go with that mandoline! A little more practice, and you’ll have the perfect shape. We’re still testing our versions as well. It’s been fun!
A lot more practice I think!