Crispy Deep-Fried Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 900 g sweet potato, cut into strips 1-0.5 cm thick.
• 6 tbsp. peanut oil, for deep frying
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/8 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 3/4 cup sparkling water, chilled

Preparation:

1. Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed cauldron or deep fryer to 190°C. Preheat oven to 95°C.
2. Combine salt, garlic powder, paprika and sugar in a bowl and set aside.
3. In a bowl, combine cornstarch and soda water. Dip the sweet potatoes in the batter a few times, let them drain, and place them on a wire rack. Repeat with the remaining sweet potatoes.
4. Fry half the sweet potato, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crisp, 6-8 minutes. Sprinkle with the spice mixture and place in the oven on a paper towel-lined baking sheet to maintain the temperature. Repeat with the other sweet potato half. Serve hot.