• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Wholehearted Eats

  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • Work
  • Portfolio
  • About
  • Nav Social Menu

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work
  • Portfolio
  • Privacy Policy
    • Email
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Work
    • Portfolio
    • Privacy Policy
    • Email
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Snacks / Harissa Fries with Cashew Mayo

    Harissa Fries with Cashew Mayo

    Published: Feb 19, 2016 · Modified: Jan 3, 2021 by Sophie · Leave a Comment

    Harissa Fries with Cashew Mayo

    When life gets hard, I turn to fries. They are my warm, salty, and greasey version of a little security blankey. And if I could take them along with me in my purse everywhere I venture, I surely would. For me they are reminiscent of fall fairs, road trip dives, date nights, and carefree summer evenings - I'm feeling warm and fuzzy inside already!

    Every year around exam time when life would just became too hard to manage and anything but leggings and a topknot was too uncomfortable to bare, roasting up a tray of oven fries became our favourite easy dinner and study aid (that and the odd bag of kettle chips - pepperoncini pleeeease). Years later and school behind me, I still turn to oven fries after a long or turbulent day at work, or just when I feel I need a hug but there's nobody around. There are always yams for comfort. Last week, on Valentines no less, we went out for sushi and as I just finished eating a warm and creamy piece of yam tempura I suddenly had a realization with absolute certainty that yeah, yams do make everything better!

    These fries are like the more sophisticated version of my old go to, primarily because they aren't doused in ketchup. Gross, I know. Instead they are served alongside the most amazing cashew dip. While I chose to call it mayo, it's not as oily or as rich as normal mayonnaise. It's more like a creamy cashew cheese, perhaps. It really doesn't matter what I call it, because it should just be called something hyperbolic like "the only sauce you'll even need" but that's not very catchy. Besides eating it on these fries, I slathered it on some vegan pizza, turned it into a kid friendly ranch dip for cucumbers and carrot sticks, and put in on a sandwich as though it was just regular mayo. 

    Harissa Fries with Cashew Mayo

    Harissa Fries with Cashew Mayo

    Harissa Fries with Cashew Mayo

    There are two key steps to follow to make for crispy oven fries. While some people opt for things like corn starch, I'd rather steer clear of any additives when we're dealing with something as perfect as a yam. Instead, a little bit of soaking will help extract some of the starch and make for a crispier exterior. Secondly, and most importantly, the moisture has to be removed. This is best accomplished by thoroughly drying the soaked fries, and making sure they have plenty of space when baking so that they don't steam. The best advise I can offer is when in doubt, use another tray. 

    Harissa Fries with Cashew Mayo

    Print it Here 

    2 Yams or Sweet Potatoes (I used one of each)
    2 Tbsp. Coconut Oil, melted
    About 4 tsp. Harissa Powder (see recipe below)

    Serve with Cashew Mayo (see recipe below)

    And Raw Ketchup 

    1. Begin by giving your potatoes a good scrub to remove any dirt. Then cut them into long strips about 1 cm thick (¼ inch-½ inch) and soak them in some cool water for about 20 minutes or so to help lose some of the starchy residue.

    2. After the fries have set in the water, drain them and dry super well (most important part). Combine them in a bowl with the coconut oil and spices, tossing well to coat.

    3. Spread evenly on two trays, being sure that there is plenty of space between the fries. Bake in a  205 C (400 F) oven until crisp and tender, about 20-30 minutes flipping half way though.

    Dry Harissa Mix

    1 tablespoon Cumin Seeds
    1 tablespoon Coriander Seeds
    ¼ Cup Dried Chili Peppers, used smoked ones and spicy ones
    1 teaspoon Paprika
    1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
    1 teaspoon Sea Salt
    1 teaspoon Chili Flakes

    1. In a dry cast iron (or heavy bottomed pan), toast the cumin and coriander until fragrant. Set the spices aside to cool for a few minutes.

     

    Harissa Fries with Cashew Mayo

    Harissa Fries with Cashew Mayo

    Harissa Fries with Cashew Mayo

    Cashew Mayo 

    Adapted from Vegoratt 

    1 Cup Cashews, soaked for 4 hours or overnight
    2 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
    2 tablespoon Lemon Juice (about 1 lemon)
    2 Tbps White or Light Miso
    1 teaspoon Djion mustard
    2 tablespoon Olive Oil
    1 Clove Garlic, chopped
    1 teaspoon Nutritional Yeast
    3 tablespoon Water
    Pinch Smoked Paprika


    1. Begin by draining and rinsing the cashews. Then combine the cashews with all other ingredients in a high speed blender and puree for several minutes or until silky smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. 

    Harissa Fries with Cashew Mayo

    Harissa Fries with Cashew Mayo

    xox Sophie

     

    More Snacks

    • Pita bread being dipped into a bowl of tzatziki.
      Vegan Tzatziki (7 Ingredients)
    • Strawberry Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie
    • Carrot salad with herbs in a bowl with a fork.
      Raw Carrot Salad
    • Close up of coconut-coated chocolate balls on a plate.
      Easy No-Bake Coconut Date Balls

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube

    Get to Know Sophie

    A woman lying on a blanket outdoors shading her eyes with a hand.

    Recipes for Natural Living

    Several flower types floating in a bathtub full of water.

    How to Stock a Pantry

    recipes you can make with pantry ingredients

    Get The Free E-Book

    Shop Items I Love

    Woman on lawn with fabric grocery bag filled with fruit.
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Work
    • Portfolio
    • Privacy Policy

    Footer

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Value Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About

     

     

    Copyright © 2023

    This site is created on the ancestral and unceded lands of the Coast Salish peoples–Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.