Sweet Potatoes

I get 6-8 large sweet potatoes when they are on sale during Thanksgiving and Easter. I've prepared them a few different ways and loved them all! There are many health benefits to eating sweet potatoes so try some, besides, they taste DELICIOUS!!!

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

• 2-3 large potatoes
• 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small chunks
• salt and pepper to taste

This is a very simple recipe that I decided to try instead of baked sweet potatoes. Wash and peel the sweet potatoes. Cut the potatoes up into 1" cubes, place in a grease 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, top with butter. Cover with aluminum foil and place into the oven, bake at 400 degrees for 45-60 minutes.

Sweet Potato Fries

-5 large sweet potatoes (I only did 3)

-1 quart peanut oil (I used two and had problems with the oil wanting to boil over because of the high sugar content in the sweet potatoes, so just stick to one!)

-Kosher salt (we keep a small Tupperware container of Kosher salt in our cupboard for easy "sprinkling" access)

1. Cut the potatoes lengthwise into 1/4"-1/2" slices, then cut each slice lengthwise into 1/4"-1/2" fries.
2. Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed medium stockpot over medium heat, or in a tabletop deep fryer, to 365 degrees. Line a baking sheet with paper towels and set aside.
3. Fry each batch until golden brown, 3-4 minutes. Remove to the baking sheet lined with paper towels and season immediately with salt. Serve hot.

Tip: Sweet potatoes DO NOT get crisp like regular fries and get darker faster due to the high sugar content. Also, you can leave the skins on just be sure to clean them really well.

(The recipe is from Bobby Flay's cookbook Burgers, Fries, and Shakes - the "kiddos" a.k.a. my hubby bought me a signed copy for Mother's Day this year - which I would highly recommend if you like to make burgers, fries, and shakes)

[Crockpot] Baked Sweet Potatoes

3 medium-large sweet potatoes (you can really use however many you would like) 

3 Tbsp. butter, divided

3 Tbsp. brown sugar, optional - you could also sprinkle nutmeg or cinnamon instead

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 
2. Wash sweet potatoes. Prick each sweet potato with a fork three to four times. Wrap each sweet potato in aluminum foil.
3. Place potatoes on a baking sheet and bake for 45 - 60 minutes, depending on size. Smaller potatoes will be ready after about 45 minutes, but larger ones may take as much as one hour to bake. [You can also cook these up in the crockpot. Simply follow step 2 and then place in a slow cooker. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-7 hours.]
4. Let your baked sweet potatoes sit in the foil for about 10 minutes before unwrapping. Cut each potato that you plan to use right away and top with butter. Sprinkle with brown sugar and/or cinnamon.

Maple Roasted Sweet Potato

Need some ideas for what to do with the leftovers (if there are any)?

• Sweet Potato Waffles
• Southern Sweet Potato Bread 
• Sweet Potato Pancakes

For more sweet potato ideas, click here.