Monthly Archives: February 2023

Dining Out With DOGS in Metro Phoenix AZ February 2023 Craftsman Cocktails & Kitchen, Phila Deli, Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery

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Dining out with dogs in metro Phoenix is just a “FLUFF” story about taking my dogs out to eat. It all sort of started with my dog Louie. He was elderly and came down with aggressive cancer. He couldn’t do a lot but always enjoyed going out to eat so I took him out to eat as often as I could. Instead of his 3-6 month diagnosis Louie made it another 17 months. Today I take my current dogs out when I can.

In Phoenix Arizona weather can be an issue. Anything over 90 degrees F is too hot to dine out with dogs as dogs are not as heat tolerant as we are. Other issues are that you have to make sure that the restaurant patio you plan to visit is actually dog friendly. Dogs need to be kept close to your side and you shouldn’t let them sit on restaurant furniture or eat off of restaurant plates. You also should be aware that most food and drink that you consume could be harmful or toxic to your furry friend. Usually a small lean sauceless piece of meat is usually ok.

The beginning of February was mighty chilly (well for Phoenix) so we took the dogs out for a car-ride that they enjoyed and did take out at Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery in North Phoenix.

“I got fur..It’s not too cold for ME to dine out!”
“I’m hungry…..I smell food”

The dogs get chicken from my curry chicken and beef from my husband’s beef rice plate. (I didn’t even think about photoing the food…sorry I forgot)

“Give me that chicken”
“yummmmmmmmmmm!”
“My turn”
“Oh goodie goodie joy joy!”

We always enjoy going to Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery.

2340 W Bell Rd PHX AZ

602-843-3637

www.BanhMiBistroAZ.com

We made it to The Craftsman Cocktails & Kitchen in North Scottsdale. This restaurant offers a nice variety of different foods and are also a distillery. The original chef was well known for working at several finer restaurants in Metro Phoenix. My larger dog always enjoys dining here…..Maybe because it is almost like dining in the restaurant even when you are on the patio…..

Or maybe because of the special patio tables that are shaped underneath almost like caves that dogs enjoy.

Anyways-

Our waiter was nice and served each dog their own bowl of water.

The food soon arrives. Both dogs squish themselves between me and my husband.

My husband got the distiller’s burger (certified black Angus 1/2 lb patty, tomato, bacon jam, dijon aioli. arugula, fontina, brioche bun)

With a side salad instead of fries or house chips.

#I’ll keep slapping you for food!” “Keep it coming”

The dogs enjoyed getting bites of burgers even though it was close to well done instead of medium-rare. The burger was still good and juicy. Dogs never complain they are always happy with cheeseburgers.

I got the pan seared crispy skin Canadian walleye.

Braised fennel (not sure if I got any…if I did it was ultra minimal or maybe they accidentally gave me onions instead of fennel? tomato, whipped potatoes, with tarragon butter.

Te dogs really enjoyed the seared walleye. They also got to enjoy some whipped potatoes.

Craftsman Cocktails & Kitchen

20469 N Hayden Rd Scottsdale AZ 480-401-1102

www.TheCraftsmanAZ.com

We made it to Phila Deli a Cheesesteak Sandwich shop in North Glendale. They offer a variety of cheesesteaks, hot and cold hoagies, a cold cut with pate banh mi sandwich, a variety of fries, and children’s meals.

My husband got a cheesesteak.

I got the southwest chicken steak sandwich (pepper jack cheese left off at my request, grilled onions and peppers, chipotle & hatch peppers)

For me the roll is too squishy and what I call squishy Arizona roll style but I know most people don’t mind this because they are from Arizona. It’s also a bit messy and NOT GOOD for dogs so we got them an order of chicken fingers.

I fed them about 1/2 the chicken fingers and the other half they will get as treats over the next two days.

Phila Deli 20219 N 59th Ave Glendale AZ 623-376-9333

www.PhilaDeliAZ.com

That was Dining Out With DOGS in Metro Phoenix AZ for February 2023. We hope that you’ve enjoyed and we hope to see you next month.

The Forking Truth
In Memory of Louie 5-5-2001 – 3-3-2017

ROSSO ITALIAN Phoenix AZ – Newly Opened

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Rosso Italian is an Italian Restaurant located in downtown Phoenix Arizona. This restaurant is a new addition to the Pomo Restaurant Group. They offer a nice modern atmosphere and indoor-outdoor bar area that is dog friendly.

Either here
bar area
dining area

The dining area is a mix of traditional tables and booths.

dining area

On the current menu are appetizers like meatball pizzaola, bruschetta trio, creamy polenta short rib. They also offer salads and soup, hand made pastas, Pomo pizzas, and three entrees that were – grilled salmon, roasted chicken, and pork chop Milanese.

We started out by sharing the beet salad.

beet salad

It contained red and gold beets (some red ones are chips), romaine, frisee, little dots of whipped goat cheese, radicchio, pistachios, citrus vinaigrette.

We also shared the spaghetti cacio and pepe.

spaghetti cacio & pepe

It’s made with five varieties of roasted peppercorns and pecorino Romano cheese. Each bite does taste different. Some bites for sensitive people might contain too much pepper.

I tried the grilled wild salmon.

grilled wild salmon

It came with grilled romanesco and fregola sardo. It was slightly over cooked. Both the server and manager offered a replacement.

My husband tried the pork chop Milanese.

pork chop milanese

It was a breaded pounded pork chop with mixed greens, a grilled orange wedge and citrus vinaigrette.

I was too full for dessert but I did want to see the dessert menu.

They probably offer desserts but our server was the type that didn’t want to sell any. Perhaps you will get a different server.

Rosso Italian – Newly Opened

ROSSO ITALIAN – 2 E Jefferson St PHX AZ 602-218-6001

www.RossoItalian.com

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

NEW Weird DIFFerenT Limited and Special Edition Foods Out There February 2023

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There is always something New, Weird, Different, Limited or special edition out there in the wonderful world of food. We never know WTFork we will find when we shop for food. Up above is-

NEW – Reese’s Puffs Stuffed Reese’s Cups. If you like cereal in your candy then you will be happy with this.

Next one is leftover from Christmas.

LIMITED EDITION – M&M’s in mint but in Christmas Packaging. One reads Christmas came early this year….The other reads – tough being on everyone’s wishlist. I haven’t eaten mint M&M’s in years…..Love mint but these aren’t my favorite.

DIFFERENT – Feel Good Superfoods – Pure and natural ashwagandha They look like Chinese Laterns?

DIFFERENT – Raspberry Oranges…Who Knew?

DIFFERENT – Wonderful – Naturally Seedless Lemons

DIFFERENT – Catalina Crunch Keto Friendly Dark Chocolate Cereal….? Looks like a bag of chocolate and raspberries??????

NEW – General Mills Cinnamon Toast Crunch Minis……Who are they fooling? Those aren’t minis….They are just dots. Machine at factory probably got clogged and the cereal just came out as dots…..

NEW – Mission…..Everything BAGEL flour tortillas street tacos? That sure doesn’t sound right. They are street sized flour tortillas (not tacos or bagels) maybe with everything bagel seasoning but I don’t see any seasoning on them?

DIFFERENT – Arby’s Horsey Sauce…..I’m guessing that these sauces are horseradish flavored?

DIFFERENT – Wild Planet Tuna Chorizo …Who knew?? Bet it’s tasty!

DIFFERENT – Macabee Cheese Pizza

DIFFERENT – Jack’s Gourmet FACON (Fakin Bacon LOL)

DIFFERENT – Taylor Pass New Zealand Manuka Honey is something to buzz about at $35.99 a jar.

Gone are the days when yogurt was a healthy food. In the old days hippy’s would add maybe a spoon ful of honey and some nuts and berries to it. Today yogurt is something different.

DIFFERENT – Chobani Greek Yogurt in S’more S’mores & Red Velvet Cupcake

DIFFERENT – Chobani Greek Yogurt in Mint Chocolate Chip & Chocolate Layer Cake…(I didn’t try any of these yogurts but I FORKING Doubt any yogurt can actually taste like chocolate layer cake…..Someone musta have been on drugs to think that one up.

DIFFERENT and maybe WEIRD – Chobani Greek Yogurt in Rocky Road

DIFFERENT – Chobani Yogurt in Key Lime Crumble and Strawberry Cheesecake

DIFFERENT – Chobani Greek Yogurt in Peanut Butter Cup & Salted Caramel Crunch

I see that Ice Cream can be different too!

DIFFERENT – Van Leeuwen Ice Creams in Earl Grey, Marion Berry Cheesecake, and Cookies and Cream…might be good but they do make you fat.

DIFFERENT – Van Leeuwen Ice Creams is Honey Comb, Sicilian Pistachio, and Black Cheery Chip…OK I can vouch that the Pistachio is as good as smooth pistachio can be…..Was thinking about the other two flavors…passed but maybe next time!

DIFFERENT – Van Leeuwen Vegan Ice Creams in Brownie Sundae with raspberry swirl, banana bread pudding, churros and fudge….Ummmmm some sound amazing but I’ve never tried vegan ice cream…….

DIFFERENT MORE Van Leeuwen Vegan Ice Cream…..Strawberry, Brownie sundae with raspberry swirl, dark chocolate peanut butter swirl, brown sugar chunk, chocolate cookie dough honey comb….DAM think I just gained ten pounds just thinking about eating them…..

Usually there is something out there Oreo.

LIMITED EDITION – The Most Oreo stuffed with an enormous amount of cookies and cream filling………(gosh that would make me gag…but some people out there can eat anything.)

Well that was the new, weird, different, limited, and special edition foods out there for February 2023. Who Knows WTFork I’ll come across next month….

The Forking Truth

Brera Osteria Las Vegas NV – Ask for the $28.00 3 Course Chefs Tasting Lunch GREAT FIND! Worth a Fork!

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Brera Osteria is a multi-regional Italian restaurant that is an inspiration of the artsy-cool Brera neighborhood in Milan Italy. This restaurant is located in St Mark’s Square in the Grand Canal Shoppes in The Venetian on the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada. Besides many Italian favorites they also offer authentic Neapolitan pizza. All the seating is on the indoor patio.

They don’t post this menu so it is a secret. You have to ask for the 3 course chef’s tasting lunch menu. There is an additional charge for four of the items on the menu.

We both went for the 3 course lunch menu and everything we tried was at least good.

They start you off with complimentary bread with a little oil and balsamic.

First course was the salad called insalata (wild arugula, fennel, orange, olives, grana, chili vinaigrette).

The other first course was meatballs (beef & pork, San Marzano, mozzarella, and grilled bread).

For my main I got the salmon (Umbrian lentils, fennel puree, leeks, beet aioli). and this alone was worth the $28.00 to me. It was prepared just so and also cooked to my request.

My husband got the beef tenderloin ($18. extra charge) (with grilled romaine hearts, roasted potatoes, chimichurri).

My husband asked me to taste the beef but I was busy with my plate and declined…..Then he said that I must try the potatoes so I tried one. It was sort of garlic-ee but tasted like a special potato. Not a regular potato that you get at the supermarket…A special variety.

For dessert we both went with the bread pudding imbedded with fruit, nuts, chocolate, and was enhanced with gelato, caramel, whipped cream, and berries.

If you want this then you have to ASK for the three course chef’s tasting menu from Brera Osteria at the Venetian at St Mark’s Square. I think that it is a great find! Worth a Fork!

Worth a Fork!

3355 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas NV

702-414-1227

www.BreraOsteria.com

www.VenetianLasVegas.com

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

Miznon – Seasonal Israeli Street Food Las Vegas NV – Worth a Fork! RUN!!! DON’T WALK

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Miznon is a seasonal high quality chain of Israeli Street Food Restaurants by chef Eyal Shani. According to www.Miznon.com they have locations in Israel, United States, France, Austria, Australia, Singapore, Canada, and United Kingdom. We went to the newly opened Las Vegas location. (***I’ve also read that a location just opened recently in Canada) The Las Vegas location is located near the Palazzo casino floor that is in the Venetian on the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada.

This is a very casual food market stall with bar seating. You order and pay at the counter and seat yourself. They call your name as things from your order are ready. At the current time a few tables are scattered across from the stall. This is the spot where Fine Dining Israeli Hasalon Restaurant will be also by chef Eyal Shani.

The signature dish is The Original World Famous Baby Cauliflower. (you can see the Atlantic flake Sea Salt on it)

The cauliflower comes out like this with tahini sauce and a green chili sauce that is called shrug or zhug sauce (many different spellings).

It’s very surprising how great that this very simple cauliflower can taste…..It really is very good and special! It so special that the recipe of this cauliflower is posted at the restaurant.

I couldn’t try everything………so I snapped this picture of the bag of green beans when I saw them come up at the counter (with olive oil, lemon, garlic, salt).

I had to try the plate called “The Best Hummus Plate That You Will Ever Eat with Melting Chickpeas.”

I can sure tell you that it was a very great plate of hummus and also was the most detailed plate of hummus that I have ever tried anywhere. It’s enhanced with melting chickpeas, slices of hard egg, green chili sauce, olive oil, tomato seeds that are like caviar, and tahini. The pita is very fluffy and it’s all really great together.

We were both blown away with both the next two meat dishes. One was the sal de coq (rotisserie chicken, fresh herbs, radish, cucumber, pickles)

The flavors and moisture in the chicken is OFF THE CHARTS GREAT! It must be tasted to be believed. This really blew us away. You can’t really see it in my photo (because I wanted you to see the chicken) but they also gave us this incredibly delicious roasted pepper with it. (lower left corner)

LIGHTNING STRIKES AGAIN!

bag of golden meat

The pita-less entree called “Bag of Golden Meat” is far more incredible than I can ever describe. The depth of flavors and tenderness was so shocking in a great way.

This is some sort of overnight brisket, grilled onions, and a garlic-ee aioli. Honestly this didn’t even seem like brisket because it was so amazing. I really thought it tasted more like the finest shaved prime rib from a very upscale steakhouse.

Oh and I forgot to mention that the meat portions were extra large so it also is a really great value dining here.

RUN !!!!!! Don’t walk. GO to Miznon as soon as you can because it really was that good and Worth a Fork! (and a Great value too!)

Worth a Fork!

Miznon

3355 S. Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas NV (Venetian located near to the Palazzo Casino Floor)

www.VenetianLasVegas.com

www.Miznon.com (at the time of my visit the Las Vegas location was not yet listed on this site but is listed on the Venetian site)

But every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

Matt’s Big Breakfast Glendale AZ – Worth a Fork!

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Matt’s Big Breakfast is an all day high quality breakfast restaurant with around a half a dozen locations in Metro Phoenix Arizona. One location of Matt’s Big Breakfast has been featured on Diners Drive ins and Dives on Food Network TV. I went to the Glendale-Arrowhead location.

This restaurant serves higher quality foods than your average breakfast restaurant. They use local Hickman’s eggs. You will also see things like line caught tuna, Red Bird Farms chicken, Niman Ranch ground chuck, locally roasted coffee, craft soda, fresh squeezed juices. They do also have a cocktail menu.

It’s casual. You seat yourself at any table that is covered with menus. They offer patio dining for when the weather is nice. You can sit at the counter or at traditional tables.

I’m not a breakfast person and tried the classic reuben.

To my surprise this is a really GREAT Reuben. The corned beef was roasted in house , nicely spiced, and is very good. The rye bread is nicely toasted and also is very good rye bread. It even comes with a very good dill pickle spear. This sandwich comes with potato chips but you can add on either macaroni salad or cole slaw. I added on cole slaw and it was fresh made, crispy, and not drippy at all. I thought that it was very above average for cole slaw.

My husband went with the Big Butter Burger and upped the side to the hash browns.

This came with an enormous slice of tomato with lots of lettuce and a really good deli-type pickle. The hand pressed Niman Ranch ground chuck burger was prepared to request of medium-rare. It was grilled in butter. and was topped with American cheese. I heard that the hash browns were great too.

Service was friendly and efficient.

Matt’s Big Breakfast is Worth a Fork!

Worth a Fork!

Matt’s Big Breakfast 7507 W Rose Garden Ln Glendale AZ 623-259-9836

www.MattsBigBreakfast.com

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

My Trip to Ms Martha’s Caribbean Restaurant Phoenix AZ

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Ms Martha’s Caribbean Restaurant is located in Phoenix Arizona. This is a very casual Caribbean restaurant where you order at the counter yourself on a big computer screen. This is mostly a take out restaurant but they do have a few tables inside and a few outside tables for when the weather is nice.

inside
inside

They offer appetizers like meat hand pies and a variety of wings. You can order your entree as a bowl or a regular entree that includes two sides or your entree as just a side. They also offer family meals and might also offer a special of the day. The menu might be shorter than from some of the otherCaribbean restaurants in Phoenix because they don’t offer the Caribbean fish dishes here.

We started out by trying a chicken curry Jamaican patty. I was very surprised that there was an option to add cheese.

It was different. Less saucy than what I think of for Jamaican chicken curry but the chicken inside was tender.

We shared the brown stew chicken, the jerk chicken, and the special of the day that was a side order of macaroni and cheese.

brown stew chicken
jerk chicken
special of the day – macaroni and cheese

Both entrees were VERY LARGE and BOTH included very tender falling off the bone chicken that was mildly infused with flavors. The jerk chicken came with a small container of sauce that it needed.

The macaroni and cheese contained soft pasta but was very cheesy and better than a lot of similar dishes out there.

On the night of my visit Ms Martha herself was behind the cooking line and also was helpful serving. She also had a helper that also was helpful and friendly.

That was my trip to Ms Martha’s Caribbean Restaurant.

1820 W Northern Ave PHX AZ 602-675-2212

The website seems to be down but you can find Ms Martha’s on Facebook

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

FORKING DELICIOUS Turkey Stuffed Cabbage Recipe

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I was inspired by reading about different meatloafs and came up with this. It’s not really a meatloaf inside of the cabbage but it was the inspiration for the flavorings. I boiled the cabbage leaves with apple cider vinegar, sea salt and smoked paprika to give them a nice flavor. Well these came out FORKING DELICIOUS!

Ingredients for around 8 servings

1 medium cabbage – core removed

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

1 Tablespoon sea salt

1 Tablespoon smoked paprika

1 lb 93% lean ground turkey

1 small onion – fine chopped

1 small carrot – either fine chopped or shredded

3 garlic cloves – ground to paste

1/2 cup scallions – sliced thin

1 teaspoon – dried thyme

2 eggs – slightly beaten

1 Tablespoon dijon mustard (I used Amora Brand)

1 Tablespoon ketchup

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire

1 Tablespoon (or to taste) bomba Calabrese or a dash of hot sauce or hot paste of your choice (I used Coluccio Bomba Calabrese)

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

pinch ground allspice

1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil – chopped

1/2 cup whole wheat panko bread crumbs

1 Tablespoon seasoned vegetable base (I used Better Than Bouillon Seasoned Vegetable Soup Base) ((This is more flavorful than salt and adds less sodium))

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

neutral non-stick spray

Directions

Your cabbage with the core removed goes in a pot of boiling water with the apple cider vinegar, sea salt, and smoked paprika added. After a minute or so the leaves sort of come off by themselves. You pull them off one at a time with tongs and place on a dish or tray. Set to the side.

Set oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl mix the onion, carrot, garlic, scallions, thyme, eggs, dijon, ketchup, Worcestershire, bomba, nutmeg, cayenne, allspice, sun-dried tomatoes, panko, soup base, and black pepper. Mix well. Then mix in ground turkey till incorporated. Score the bowl of meat mixture into quarters. Each quarter can be two portions.

Grab a smaller cabbage leaf and stuff with 1/8 of meat mixture. (excuse my bad photo…It’s hard to photo when you are using your hands)

This goes on a larger cabbage leaf that you wrap around the ball.

Wrap this so it is neat and together looking and place on non-stick sprayed sheet pan. Repeat till out of meat. You might have a few extra cabbage leaves that you need to use with your side vegetable.

Pour a small amount of the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes over the cabbage leaves and rub it all around the cabbage leaf.

These go on the middle rack of a preheated 350 degree F oven till done. 15-20 minutes.

ENJOY!!!!

Turkey Stuffed Cabbage

ENJOY!!!!!

The Forking Truth

A Few Things I Saw at my local Asiana Market – Glendale AZ

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There always is a lot of different foods to find at Asiana Market. The Asiana Market is an Asian and International Market with two locations in Metro Phoenix Arizona. I go to the location that is in the Deer Valley part of Glendale. You never know what you will come across when shopping there. Up above is canned cod liver…who knew!

I found what looks like ground garlic but they are marked fried dumplings?

Frozen Sardines

Frozen Indian Mackerel

Frozen Octopus

Wagyu Beef

Veal Bologna

Anchovy Powder…..Now that one I’ve never seen before!

Shiitake Mushroom Powder – That is a very good ingredient. I buy local mushroom powder and it adds a lot of good flavor to certain things.

They always have junk food that is different……

BBQ Marshmallows….what a great idea for when you are too lazy to bbq them yourself!

Lay’s Potato Chips in American Style Cream & Onion Flavor….????

Lay’s Potato Chips in Wafer Style ???????? salt and pepper flavor……different

Lay’s Potato Chips in India Magic Masala flavor….Yum!……maybe??????????

Medjool dates stuffed with pistachios and covered with fine Belgian chocolate….That one gets a YUM!

Those were a few of the things I noticed at Asiana Market.

4410 W Union Hills Dr Glendale AZ 623-780-1234

www.AsianaMarket2.com

The Forking Truth

Marinated Roasted White Sweet Potatoes

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I had potatoes still hanging around and some lemons that were getting old so I made my version of Greek Potatoes……….but…..I had some white sweet potatoes that used up too so I cooked them the same together. Both potatoes came out good. But those white sweet potatoes tasted not just good……but really great so this recipe should be Marinated Roasted White Sweet Potatoes. Serving size is always difficult to determine. All potatoes are different sizes and all people are different sizes and like to eat different size portions. I used 5 smaller potatoes and they shrink from cooking so I’d say that mine made 5 smaller servings so that means 4 servings for most people.

Ingredients for around 4 servings

5 white sweet potatoes (yams have darker skin. White sweet potatoes have light tan skin) – remove skin and cut into wedges

6 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

4 garlic cloves – ground to paste

1 Tablespoon dried oregano

2 Tablespoons dijon mustard (I used Amora Brand)

2 lemons (just the fresh squeezed juice)

1 Tablespoon vegetable soup base paste (I used vegetable Better Than Bullion Brand because this is more flavorful than salt and less sodium)

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Neutral non stick spray

optional- a little bit if fresh parsley for finishing

Directions

Either boil your potato wedges 5 minutes or put them into a microwaveable bowl or container. Fill halfway with water, cover, and microwave 6 minutes. Let sit on counter.

In a small bowl mix together the oil, garlic, lemon juice, soup base paste, oregano, mustard, and black pepper till it emulsifies.

Drain potatoes. Let cool till just warm. Add them to a gallon zip lock bag. Add the small bowl of marinade you just made and massage it around the potato wedges. Squeeze out all the air you can from the bag. Let this marinate over night in the refrigerator.

The next day.

Set oven to 400 degrees F

Spray a sheet pan with non stock spray. Set out the potato wedges with a little space around them. They go on the middle rack till done. Timing will differ….Wedges may differ in size and age of potato can be a factor. Mine took 50 minutes.

These potatoes are delicious as they are but are also delicious with whipped feta cheese. (Just crumble a good quality feta cheese and blend with Greek yogurt)

Add a little pinch of fresh parsley if desired.

Marinated Roasted White Sweet Potatoes

Enjoy!

The Forking Truth