I don’t know about you, but I didn’t know it was Cook a Sweet Potato Day !
I love sweet potatoes and while I’m not really a member of the Sweet Potato Queens, I do love the sisterhood that promotes self-esteem, empowerment, & positive thinking for women !
But, I digress… back to the vegetable.
It’s a nutrient-dense vegetable. It has lots of fiber, soluble & insoluble that’s good for your gut health (immunity also). As it’s digested, It ferments slightly in your digestive tract & promotes healthy lining of the intestines which helps prevent cancer.
It has loads of beta carotene, vitamin A, B6, potassium, manganese, complex carbs, antioxidants also aid in cell health & cancer prevention.
That vitamin A promotes healthy vision, brain function & memory.
It reduces inflammation in the body which is very beneficial to your brain, digestive, and overall health. In my book, they’re nearly a super vegetable & they satisfy my sweet tooth. BONUS POINTS ~ they’re GOOD for Your Skin too!
I even tried planting a few last summer but they were very small. I may plant again, but way earlier.
Are you eating them regularly?
I try to include them at least once a week and the only time I cook sweet potato casserole is on holidays. Put them on your grocery list for the week. They probably didn’t sell out like all the other potatoes may have.
I’m about to give you a couple of hacks & some good recipes.
Hack #1: Baked Sweet Potato
To save time, I start mine in the microwave on a paper towel after washing them. I usually microwave 2 of them for 5 minutes. Then I put them in a 425 degree oven in a cast iron skillet for at least 30 – 40 minutes.
You could put them on a baking sheet too, but spray it because some of the sugar is going to leach out. I serve them split open with a pat of butter. You could add cinnamon or nutmeg if desired.
My brother-in-law bakes them then cuts them in half or thirds if they’re big and freezes them in a zip- top plastic bag. They take a section out of the freezer & microwave them for 2 to 2 & ½ minutes per side when they want to add them to a meal.
To save time, you could cook several at a time, freeze them & microwave for a quick vegetable side.
Hack #2 Sweet Potato Fries
2 pounds peeled sweet potatoes
2 T olive oil
1 t garlic powder
1 t paprika
1 t salt
½ t black pepper
Heat oven to 400.
Cut sweet potato into stick ¼- ½ in. wide and 3 inches long, toss with olive oil.
Mix spices in a small bowl and toss with the sweet potatoes.
Bake until brown & crisp on bottom (about 15 min) then flip & cook until the other side is crisp ( 10 min). Serve hot.
You can also roast sweet potato cubes on a baking sweet lined with foil & sprayed with baking spray. One of our favorite sheet pan recipes is pork chops with roasted sweet potatoes, apples, & brussels (one of the few ways my hubby likes brussels).
Sheet Pan Pork Chops with Roasted Sides (4 servings, 40 minutes)
4 center cut bone in pork chops (1 inch thick)
1 t paprika
1 t chili powder
1 t garlic salt
1/8 t ground red pepper
1/8 t cinnamon
3 T light brown sugar, divided
2 t rosemary finely chopped, divided
1 t salt
1/2 t ground black pepper
3 T apple cider vinegar
1 gala or granny smith apple
1 sweet potato, peeled
1 # fresh Brussel sprouts, trimmed & halved
vegetable cooking spray
- Make a brown sugar/spice mixture of 1 T brown sugar, 1 t rosemary, 1/2 t salt, & 1/4 t black pepper. Rub both sides of the chops. Chill for a few minutes or overnight. Rub with 1/2 t olive oil.
Preheat oven to 425.
2. Whisk apple cider vinegar & remaining 2 T brown sugar, 1 t rosemary, 1/2 t salt, 1/4 t black pepper & 3 T olive oil in a bowl. Place apple & sweet potato chunks & brussel halves in the bowl. Toss to coat.
3. Place pork chops in the middle of a foil-covered sheet pan, sprayed with cooking spray. Place apple mixture around the pork chops. (Save any remaining vinegar mixture)
4. Bake at 425 for 12 minutes. turn chops and bake 10 more minutes until a meat thermometer registers 140 degrees. Remove chops & broil apple mixture until browned. Toss this mixture into the bowl containing the remaining vinegar mixture and toss. ENJOY !
There are so many more good sweet potato recipes besides sweet potato casserole… dig up a few !
Dinah's Dabblings 