Honey Cardamom Caramel

On Thursday I downloaded Food52's
new (Not) Recipe app.  This app is being offered as a place to capture and
celebrated "the casual, off-the-cuff, cooking that most people do every
day."  In the Food52 article that introduces this new app, Amanda and
Merrill (Co-Founders of Food52) talk about how "the great majority of the
world's cooking doesn't involve recipes:  It's putting together dishes you
know, with your own signature touches.



To be honest, I am definitely one
who leans toward the recipe side of cooking.  It feels a bit safer to
me.  I feel I'm less likely to waste ingredients and time making something
from a recipe that comes from a food someone I trust.  I know there's a
loss of creativity by doing it this way, but when it comes to creativity it's
not my strongest quality.  I often make something once and then add my own
touches the next time around (although some recipes are just too good to mess
with).



Over the past few years as I've
become more comfortable and confident in the kitchen, I've definitely become a
bit better at "casual, off-the-cuff cooking", but I still have a long
way to go.  I know it will take time and I'm willing to put in the effort
to keep learning and growing in the kitchen.



The night I downloaded the app,
Preston and I ate dinner together, just the two of us.  I had bought some
parsnips the day before and with the (Not) Recipe app in mind I turned those
parsnips into loaded Mexican oven fries that we ate on very tiny baking sheets.



So with a little more bravery under
my belt and with a greater resolve to be more courageous in the kitchen, today
I'm sharing a picture and a simple how-to for loaded Mexican parsnip
fries.  Enjoy!

Loaded Mexican Parsnip Fries

Peel and cut parsnips into thin
sticks and drizzle with avocado oil.  Dust parsnip fries with kosher salt,
cumin, cayenne, coriander, dried oregano, and chili powder.  Toss to
combine.  Bake at 450 until cooked through, golden brown, and
crispy.  Top fries with warmed pinto beans, salsa, sour cream, avocado,
cheese, radishes, cilantro, and a good squeeze of lime juice.