If Ryan and I had kids, I think they would have loved this dinner!
Sloppy joes and fries… I mean what’s not to love?
Though I’m obviously not a mom and have yet to struggle to get anyone to eat their veggies (Sadie loves broccoli), I would imagine that serving up a plate of these parsnip fries might actually go over well with the kiddos (or a he-man French fries and burger lovin’ guy).
Of all the veggies you can make into “fries,” aside from potatoes and sweet potatoes (obviously), I think parsnip fries are the closest thing to resembling real fries out there!
To make the parsnip fries, I simply cut up a bunch of (unpeeled) parsnips into fries before tossing them in olive oil (about one tablespoon), salt and chili powder and baking them in a 415-degree oven for 25 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
While the parsnip fries were baking, I prepared our sloppy joes using the same ketchup and apple cider-based recipe that Ryan and I both love. Unfortunately we had to eat the sloppy joes bunless since we’re all out of buns, but they were still delicious!
Apparently Ryan and I were both feelin’ this dinner, because we practically licked our plates clean.
Time to join Ryan on the couch for movie night!
Last night we watched the most recent Karate Kid movie with Will Smith’s son and both agreed that it shamed the Karate Kid name. We have to make things right in the Karate Kid universe and watch the original classic tonight!
Danielson, get ready!
Also, before signing off for the night, I wanted to let you know that I reformatted my blogroll and gave it a brand spankin’ new page. (You may still access it through my “Favs” page.) There are some new additions to the list, so feel free to check it out!
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I love parsnip fries! Or any veggie fries. It just makes them so much more appealing, doesn’t it?
i need to try parsnip fries! never had them but they look delish!
Yum yum 🙂 Parsnip fries are good but sweet potaters will always have my heart
it’s been way too long since i had a sloppy joe. yum.
I’ve never tried parsnip fries….will have to do that soon!! 😀
have fun watching the movie! I boycotted the new karate kid because I knew it could never live up to the original! hahaha
great decision!
The parsnip fries look delicious — and I like sloppy joes without buns — they fall apart anyway!
I haven’t seen any of the Karate Kid movies, but I’m not surprised that the latest one wasn’t too good.
Yummy!!!! I was wondering what to make for dinner and will give the sloppy joe a try! Mahalo!!!
I love parsnip fries too! On a random side note, just out of curiosity, are there plans to eventually have kiddos to enjoy these fries? 😉
I haven’t seen either movie! I’ve heard great things about the original though – so enjoy! 🙂
I really like parsnip fries myself…but noticed you referenced they’re the closest thing to real fries. Do you not like real baked fries?
i said they’re the closest thing other than potatoes. i do like real baked fries but love using other veggies to create baked “fries” too!
I’ve been really into carrot fries recently. I just love recreating kids dishes to satisfy my own comforting needs and wants 🙂
Any type of fry is a good fry! 🙂 Love the Karate Kid! Ralph Macchio is doing amazing on Dancing with the Stars now!
Those fries look great!! I want to make them so bad… I have never even had a parsnip? I also love sloppy joes… makes me think of parent trap!!
whoops It takes two I mean! I am getting all my movies confused….
Put ’em in a body bag Johnny!!!!
you should all know that the above comment was ryan. 🙂
Sweep the leg. You have a problem with that? No Mercy.
You guys are too funny. I love the karate kid- I’m kind of embarrassed to admit I own all three!
And those parsnip fries look good! I can’t wait to go home for Easter so I can make some. First I should probably figure out what a parsnip looks like…
Yum I definitely have to try parsnip fries!
I’m impressed that you’re still in your work clothes at dinner. The sweats gone on the second I walk through the door!!! 🙂
I love having meals that remind me of when i was younger – it just makes it more fun 🙂
I have to try parsnip fries!! I love adding corn to my sloppy joes 🙂
Love it! We just did a take on a “kid friendly” dinner the other night. It was a bit more grown up than when I was little. It was a take on hot dogs with macaroni and cheese but we used jalapeno chicken sausage from trader joes with whole wheat macaroni shells and white cheddar! 🙂
Wax On…Wax Off Danielson…baked sweet potatoes and parnsips are the greatest
That is my son’s FAVORITE dinner!!
Parsnip fries look so appealing! I’m always looking for new ways to enjoy “fries” without actually eating french fries…Love the way you did it here!
My kids love veggies (I love it!) and were definitely a fan of parsnip fries — my son probably wouldn’t have eaten the meat (My daughter is a human vacuum).
We watching the new Karate Kid with my almost 5-year old and he kept calling Will Smith’s son a girl. It was hilarious. The original is DEFINITELY the best (my hubby was SO disappointed in the ending of the new one).
I’ve never seen the Karate Kid. Sad, I know!
Haha, Danielson! God, my brother and I used to watch the Karate Kid every weekend. What a classic!
I tried to make parsnip fries the other night but I couldnt get them crispy. Do yours get crispy??
No, not really. They’re definitely a bit flimsy.
Random question I’ve wanted to ask for a few posts now… where did you get that white flower bowl? I want!
It was actually my grandma’s. I wish I had more details for you!
Umm can I come over for dinner if I pretend to be a 5-year old?
🙂 Enjoy the movie!
Hi there!!! let me begin that i’m a HUGE fan of your adorable blog!! so much so that I have been going back through lots of your old posts! I can’t get enough! back in august you posted about some elusive icecream of ben & jerry’s.. I soo found the cinnamon & oatmeal pie at my Krogers in KY! Hope you have caught back up with that old favorite by now!
Karate Kid! Such a classic! Love it!
I have to make parsnip fries! Look so good! I do love sweet potato fries too!
Parsnip fries are ALWAYS a winner in this happytales household…
and that’s so fun that y’all are watching the original Karate Kid tonight. I tend to think the orignals are always the best (unless there’s a book, then the book is the best!)
Julie, I’m a new reader, and I absolutely adore your blog! It’s so fun and relatable… the other day I worked out in the morning for the first time in years, and I definitely plan to do it more now.
Thanks for posting!
Those fries look so yummy! I never thought of using parsnips before! I will definitely have to try them out!
i tried parsnip fries once and ended up throwing them out…i think i’ll have to just make them your way next time! sloppy joes are the best too, even sans bun they rock!
Love parsnip fries!! I also love the original Karate Kid. My husband and I recently watched the first and second ones again. Ralph Macchio is actually awesome on Dancing with the Stars and looks exactly the same at 49 as he did back then!
mmm i love fun fries 🙂
I love the original Karate Kid! Mr. Miyagi has always been my hero <3
And Mr. Miyagi calls him "Daniel-san" <—"san" is an honorific suffix, like adding "Mr." before someone's name in english. End completely random Japanese knowledge 😉
I was just going to comment on the “san” thing!! I read “Danielson” and went, “What? Was that his last name or something?” I had to go to IMDB to check. 😛
oh i had no idea!
I tried to make parsnip fries and totally failed. I’ll have to follow your recipe next time!
Karate kid was my fave film growing up although I never got around seeing the new one. I love making fries outta carrots- very sweet potato-esque!
YUM! Dinner looked amazing! Save me a spot at the table next week. I will be your “pretend kid” and try all those “future child” recipes for you, I know, I know, a true sacrifice…but for you 🙂
I absolutely agree that the Jackie Chan version of Karate Kid shamed the original – I argue with my son about this when ever he watches the new version.
There are many things that peeve me about the new movie, but the thing that peeves me the most is that because it is set in China, he is learning Kung Fu NOT KARATE – how can it be called the Karate Kid?????
P.S. Congrats to your sister getting her first “big girls” job.
Parsnip Fries!! I must try….it looks amazing.
okay.. so basically I’m making parsnip fries tonight… its SETTLED!
wait-i seriously want to give you the world’s biggest HUG for putting me on your blogroll- that just made my day/week/month/year/life
thank you Julie!!!!!
virtual hug coming your way in one…..two….. three!
of course! i love the happy and positive nature of your blog, carrie! 🙂
Love the original Karate Kid!
I love parsnip fries! They are so good. I love making fries out of vegetables. They are so much healthier for you and they still really taste like french fries. Those sloppy joes look delicious! 🙂
Haha- I totally agree about the new Karate Kid movie..they just should never even try to re-make the classic 😉
And, I have yet to try to make parsnip fries…but after reading this they are sure sounding quite tasty- I love the chili powder addition!