Maria, a good friend, brought this baked sweet potato dish to my Easter dinner party. It was such a crowd pleaser that everyone asked to have it served every year. So I asked Maria for the recipe, and here it is.
Sweet potatoes are considered one of the world’s healthiest foods. They are loaded with vitamins A, C, and manganese, and also contain antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and blood sugar regulating nutrients. Sweet potatoes are a great healthy carbohydrate option that is both savory and sweet.
Yams vs. Sweet Potatoes
They are two similar looking root vegetables, but they are very different. True yams are hard to come by in most grocery stores and if you look on the label of canned yams, you will also see the words sweet potato. That is because what is really in the can are sweet potatoes. If you are really curious about the yam vs sweet potato confusion, check out these two links: Sweet Potatoes and Real Simple magazine.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
Salt & Pepper
Minced Garlic
1 Small Pat of Butter or a drizzle of olive oil per potato section
Cheese – Cheddar or a Mexican style blend are good choices
**Put the cheese on for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking time**
Parsley for garnish
350 degrees 25 -35 minutes
Directions
Wash the sweet potatoes, then cut them into four pieces. First cut in half the long way and then cut those pieces in half the other way.
Place the sweet potatoes in a lightly greased casserole dish. Using a fork, poke holes in the meaty part of the cut sweet potatoes. This will help the sweet potatoes bake more evenly and will allow the seasonings to seep into the potatoes. Sprinkle the potatoes with salt and pepper. I usually replace the regular salt with garlic salt – your choice.
Next, spoon some minced garlic and a small pat of butter, or a drizzle of olive oil on each potato section.Bake the sweet potatoes at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. then check with a fork for the desired tenderness. Smaller potatoes might be close to done, but larger ones will probably need an additional 10 minutes.When the potatoes are done, add the cheese and bake until the cheese is melted, about another 1-2 minutes.
Garnish with fresh parsley and, Voila, a yummy, healthy side dish.
If you like the traditional Thanksgiving sweet potatoes casserole, but would like to try a healthier option, check out this recipe for Sweet Potato Casserole Bites.
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