Spicy Sweet Potato Pancakes with Holiday Guacamole

(Not healthy but so wonderful as a special treat)

2/3 cup oil, for frying
1 large potato, peeled and shredded
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and shredded
1 small onion, peeled
1 egg, beaten
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons smoked sweet paprika
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons coriander
Pinch salt

2 avocados
1 lemon, juiced
1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped
1 small glove garlic, pasted up with some salt
2 jalapenos, seeded and finely chopped
3/4 cup pomegranate juice

Instructions:
Heat 1/3 cup of oil over medium to medium-high heat. Drain the shredded potatoes, pressing them down in a colander to get their moisture out. Place the potatoes in a bowl; using a box grater, grate the onion directly into the potatoes so that the onion juices fall into bowl as well. Add the egg and flour to the bowl then season with spices and salt. Combine and drop enough batter into hot oil to make 2 1/2-inch pancakes. Add more oil, as needed, and fry cakes in batches until deeply golden on each side. You will get about 16 pancakes.

Drain cooked cakes on paper towels.

Scoop out the avocado into a bowl and add the lemon juice, onion, garlic, jalapenos and a generous amount of salt. Mash the guacamole to a smooth consistency. Reduce the pomegranate juice to a syrup.

Arrange the potato pancakes on a platter and top with heaping spoonfuls of guacamole. Drizzle pomegranate syrup over the guacamole and serve.

Adapted from a Rachel Ray recipe.