Sweet Potato Squares With Lemon-Garlic Mayonnaise

Prep: 30 min., Bake: 20 min., Cook: 8 min. Serve Sweet Potato Squares warm or at room temperature. Prepare the Lemon-Garlic Mayonnaise first if you choose to serve the Sweet Potato Squares warm.

Perfect Partner: 2004 Linden, Claret, Virginia; 2005 Hogue, Cabernet-Merlot, Washington

Yield: Makes 8 appetizer servings

Ingredients

• 2  pounds  sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 32 (1-inch) cubes
• 2  tablespoons  olive oil
• 1/2  teaspoon  pepper
• 1/4  teaspoon  salt
• 1/2  pound  spicy smoked sausage, cut into 32 (1/2-inch) pieces
• 32  wooden picks
• Lemon-Garlic Mayonnaise
• Garnish: fresh thyme sprigs

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 450°. Place sweet potato cubes on a lightly greased 15- x 10-inch jelly-roll pan. Drizzle potatoes with 2 Tbsp. oil, and sprinkle with pepper and salt. Toss to coat.

2. Bake at 450° for 15 to 20 minutes, turning cubes twice.

3. Cook sausage in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until browned. Drain on paper towels.

4. Place 1 sausage slice on top of 1 sweet potato cube; secure with a wooden pick. Repeat with remaining sausage slices and potato cubes. Serve with Lemon-Garlic Mayonnaise. Garnish, if desired.