Sweet Potatoes with Pecans, Goat Cheese, Cranberries and Celery

After a microwavable sweet-potato disaster the night before last, I decided to try a new sweet potato dish and actually cook them (not using a microwave)...I remembered seeing this recipe on smittenkitchen.com and decided to give it a whirl! It was amazingly delicious... the sweet potatoes had a marshmallow-y texture and the "salsa" was basically to die for. It was a little shallot-heavy, probably because the shallot I used was rather large...I will probably use half of a normal size shallot next time...and yes, there will be a next time...probably many more in fact...YUM!

Serves 2 1/2 - 3

1 1/2 pounds sweet potato, scrubbed, unpeeled, in 3/4- to 1-inch coins
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/4 cup toasted and cooled pecan halves
2 tiny or 1 small shallot
2 stalks celery
2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon dried cranberries or cherries (optional)
2 ounces firmish goat cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon smooth Dijon mustard

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Coat a large baking sheet generously with olive oil, about 1 to 2 tablespoons. Lay sweet potatoes in one layer on the oiled sheet. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Roast, without disturbing, for 15 to 20 minutes. Carefully flip each piece: the undersides should be blistery, dark and a bit puffy and should release from the pan with no effort. If they’re not, let it cook longer. Sprinkle them with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper and return the pan to the oven for another 10 minutes or so, until the undersides match the tops.

Meanwhile, prepare your salad. Chop your pecans well, mince your shallot, chop your celery and parsley, mince cranberries if using them. Crumble your goat cheese. If it’s firmer, stir it into the mixture.

In a small dish, whisk together 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon dijon. Pour half over salad.

When the sweet potatoes are done, lay them on a serving platter (to be fancy...I just left them on the pan and put them directly onto our plates). Scoop a spoonful of the salsa over each round. Pour remaining salad dressing over top, to taste. Eat immediately.

(I served with a filet mignon but I'm sure it would go with pretty much anything)...I'm starting a detox and this was absolutely perfect for my "last meal"...I'm salivating okay I need to stop now...