I know you must be looking at the title of this post thinking, "What? Seriously? She's 30 something and just now trying sweet potatoes?!?" Well yes and no. I have tried them before, as a child and hated them. I've just now come to LOVE them.
When I was much younger, I believe the only time I had tried sweet potatoes was at some family Thanksgiving or Christmas get togethers, where they were mixed with ridiculous amounts of sugar and topped with marshmallows. Now, don't get me wrong I have a very active sweet tooth, and always have, but for whatever reason, they just never appealed to me when I was younger.
While this post is a few months overdue, it's only been in the last year that I have tried sweet potatoes again and realized how spectacular they are. Now I try to sneak them into as many meals as I can.
What's the best way to prepare a sweet potato? Every way! Sweet potato fries, baked, mashed, grilled, twice baked, roasted, sweet potato soup. Cinnamon and brown sugar? Yes please. Paprika and salt? You betcha. And don't even get me started on the health and nutritional benefits of these bad boys.
I feel like Bubba Blue geeking out about shrimp.
I've really been digging mashed sweet potatoes lately because they are super quick and easy when I don't have the time to bake one.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Another great wonder of the sweet potato? Gardening! I just learned that you can root a sweet potato to grow a beautiful decorative green or purple vine to use in your garden. When I have more space, I'm definitely going to give this a try!
When I was much younger, I believe the only time I had tried sweet potatoes was at some family Thanksgiving or Christmas get togethers, where they were mixed with ridiculous amounts of sugar and topped with marshmallows. Now, don't get me wrong I have a very active sweet tooth, and always have, but for whatever reason, they just never appealed to me when I was younger.
While this post is a few months overdue, it's only been in the last year that I have tried sweet potatoes again and realized how spectacular they are. Now I try to sneak them into as many meals as I can.
What's the best way to prepare a sweet potato? Every way! Sweet potato fries, baked, mashed, grilled, twice baked, roasted, sweet potato soup. Cinnamon and brown sugar? Yes please. Paprika and salt? You betcha. And don't even get me started on the health and nutritional benefits of these bad boys.
I feel like Bubba Blue geeking out about shrimp.
I've really been digging mashed sweet potatoes lately because they are super quick and easy when I don't have the time to bake one.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
| Mashed Sweet Potatoes - Yum! |
Ingredients
10 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup butter (not healthy but you can sub)
3 tablespoons honey
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
10 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup butter (not healthy but you can sub)
3 tablespoons honey
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Optional:
2 tablespoons orange juice (acidity helps balance some of the sweetness)
Directions
Add the potatoes to a large Dutch oven and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer or until the potatoes are tender, about 8 to 10 minutes, drain well. Return the potatoes to the Dutch oven and add the butter, honey, cinnamon, and salt. Beat at medium-low speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve hot.
Directions
Add the potatoes to a large Dutch oven and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer or until the potatoes are tender, about 8 to 10 minutes, drain well. Return the potatoes to the Dutch oven and add the butter, honey, cinnamon, and salt. Beat at medium-low speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve hot.
| Can't get any easier than this! |
Another great wonder of the sweet potato? Gardening! I just learned that you can root a sweet potato to grow a beautiful decorative green or purple vine to use in your garden. When I have more space, I'm definitely going to give this a try!
| Purple Sweet Potato Vine |
| Green Sweet Potato Vine |
