Political Eats - NDP Edition

You may be aware that there is a federal election happening in Canada this month. You may have even heard about the misfortune that happened to NDP leader Jagmeet Singh's food truck on his way to a photoshoot before the French-language debate.  What you may not have known is how popular Singh's take on poutine really is. Singh introduced this recipe to Canadian votes during the 2019 election, as the perfect combination of his ethnic background and the Quebec delicacy as a way to improve his party's vote tally in la belle province. It didn't work, but the recipe did win over enough supporters that he brought it back again for this political go-around.  In case the NDP's food truck doesn't make it to your riding in time for the election, I posted a recipe for it below. 

Elections have consequences - have your voice heard on September 20th.

Ingredients: Punjabi Poutine

two to three mid-sized sweet potatoes
1 28 oz. can of diced tomatoes or 794 g fresh tomatoes, peeled and diced
1 bag of cheese curds
mild vegetable oil and/or ghee
garlic
ginger
cardamom pods
ground cumin
ground coriander
ground tumeric
cayenne
garam masala
salt
onion

1. Preheat the oven to 176°C. Cut the sweet potatoes into evenly sized pieces. Cover them with some of the vegetable oil and/or ghee, then spread them out on a baking sheet. When the oven is ready, place the baking sheet in the oven until the sweet potatoes are cooked but not squishy.
2. Dice the onion, garlic, and ginger as finely as you can. Heat some of the vegetable oil and/or ghee in a frying pan with high sides. Sauté the onion, garlic, and ginger in the pan until the onion is translucent. Season with salt, add the spices, and sauté everything some more.
• You will notice that there are no measurements for this recipe, as Singh's approach to seasoning food is to add until he hears his ancestors say that's enough. You will have to use your best judgment on how much is too much.
3. Add the tomatoes and turn the heat down a bit. Let the tomatoes simmer until they have a sauce-like consistency. When the tomato gravy is close to ready, add the sweet potatoes and let them get used to their new home. A minute or two before serving, add the cheese curds.