Cooking with Fire: Turkey burger and sweet potato fires with the Des Plaines Fire Department

DES PLAINES, Ill. - This morning we're Cooking with Fire with the Des Plaines Fire Department, making firefighter/paramedic Benny Baltazar's turkey burger and sweet potato fries recipe.

The Des Plaines Fire Department is hiring!  Go here to apply.

Turkey Burger and Sweet Potato Fries RecipeTurkey Burgers

• 3lbs ground turkey
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup of breadcrumbs
• 1lb bacon
• 1 block sharp cheddar-cubed
• 1 large red onion
• 1 container of spinach

Cook the bacon until about three-fourths of the way done on the stovetop. Then sauté the onions and spinach in the bacon grease. Combine all three of these cooked ingredients in a bowl.
Mix ground turkey, cheese, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, Montreal chicken seasoning, eggs, breadcrumbs, and the bacon/onion/spinach combo. Form to the size of your liking. Cook burgers to 165 degrees and add sliced cheese. You can also add lettuce and tomato

Garlic Parmesan Sweet Potato Fries with Spicy Aioli

• 4 sweet potatoes, cut into matchsticks
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¼ cup fresh oregano leaves
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup grated manchego cheese

Spicy Aioli Dip

• ½ cup avocado oil based mayo
• 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic grated
• ¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place the sweet potatoes on a large baking sheet and toss with olive oil, paprika, and a large pinch of salt and pepper. Spread the fries out in an even layer. Do not overcrowd the pan. If needed, divide the fries between 2 baking sheets. Transfer to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, then flip and toss with the oregano.  Return to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes more. 

Melt the butter and garlic together in a small pan over medium heat.  Remove the fries from the oven and gently toss with garlic butter, parmesan and manchego. 

To make the aioli, mix all ingredients in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Season with salt.
Serve the fries with the aioli and ketchup.