The Versatility of the Sweet Potato
The sweet potato is one of nature’s most versatile vegetables. With its creamy texture and natural sweetness, it can be incorporated into a wide variety of healthy and delicious recipes. Instead of just reaching for the customary casserole recipe this holiday season, explore some creative ways to enjoy sweet potatoes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even dessert!<
Breakfast Ideas
Start your morning off right with a warm and nourishing sweet potato breakfast. Bake the potatoes ahead of time so they’re ready to assemble easy meals like:
- Sweet potato toast – Top slices of sweet potato with peanut butter, bananas, and cinnamon
- Breakfast hash – Dice sweet potato with onions, peppers, spinach and eggs
- Sweet potato pancakes – Grate sweet potato into pancake batter for fluffy flapjacks
These morning meals powered by sweet potatoes will keep you feeling full and focused until lunchtime.
Lunch and Dinner Recipes
Take sweet potatoes to tasty new heights at lunch and dinner with recipes like:
- Sweet potato curry – Combine cubed sweet potato with coconut milk and Indian spices
- Twice baked sweet potatoes – Scoop out baked sweet potatoes and mix with roasted veggies, cheese and herbs before restuffing
- Sweet potato bowls – Top a baked and mashed sweet potatoes with chili, black beans and avocado
The versatility of the sweet potato truly shines through in these savory dishes.
Delectable Desserts
You can even satisfy your sweet tooth with sweet potato desserts, including:
- Sweet potato pie – Make it just like pumpkin pie but with sweet potatoes
- Sweet potato brownies – Fold mashed sweet potatoes into chocolatey brownie batter
- Sweet potato cookies – Mix shredded sweet potatoes into cookie dough for tasty, wholesome treats
Who knew this hearty vegetable could be so sweet?
FAQ
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about sweet potatoes:What’s the difference between a sweet potato and a yam?Botanically, yams and sweet potatoes are completely unrelated vegetables. In the United States, Firm orange-fleshed sweet potatoes are often mislabeled as “yams” but true yams have white flesh and originate from Africa and Asia. How do you bake sweet potatoes? Poke holes in washed sweet potatoes with a fork, rub lightly with oil, wrap individually in foil and bake at 425°F for 40-60 minutes until tender all the way through. The natural sugars will caramelize during baking for delicious flavor.Can you eat sweet potato skins?Yes! Sweet potato skins are entirely edible. Just give them a good scrub beforehand. The skins contain beneficial fiber and nutrients, so enjoy them to make the most of these nutritious spuds. What spices pair well with sweet potatoes? Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves complement sweet potatoes nicely in both sweet and savory preparations. Sweet potatoes also pair well with cumin, chili powder, curry and garam masala for Indian and Mexican-style dishes. Are sweet potatoes good for you?Definitely! Sweet potatoes are high in vitamin A, vitamin C, manganese and fiber. They also contain antioxidants that protect your body’s cells from damage. Enjoy sweet potatoes as part of an overall balanced diet for good health.
The Takeaway
With their delightfully sweet flavor and impressive nutrient profile, sweet potatoes are a fabulous ingredient just waiting to be incorporated into everything from comforting casseroles to delicious baked goods and beyond. Get creative with sweet potatoes to bring nourishing variety to your breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert menus.
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