Potatoes are a classic side dish and can accompany all types of meat, from chicken to beef to pork, so for sure they could be a bit boring in the long run. If you are tired of the usual tastes, you can try cooking sweet potatoes. You can cook them in a pot or in a pan, just like classic potatoes. Choose whether you prefer to boil them, roast them or use them to make a delicious puree. In no time you will be ready to serve a delicious and alternative side dish.
Ingrediants
Sweet Boiled Potatoes
- 450 g of sweet potatoes
- Waterfall
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon (15 g) of butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
For 2-4 people
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) of salt
- 120 ml of milk
- 2 tablespoons (30 g) of butter
- 3 shallots, sliced (optional)
For about 6 people
Crispy Potatoes in a Pan
- 1 large sweet potato
- 2 teaspoons (10 g) of coconut
- Half a teaspoon of sea salt
- 1 tablespoon (15 g) of dried parsley
- Cinnamon powder
For 2 people
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Boiled Sweet Potatoes
Step 1. Wash and peel the sweet potatoes
For this recipe, you will need 450g of sweet potatoes. Put them under cold running water and scrub them gently with a clean vegetable brush. Rinse them again with cold water, then peel them with the peeler.
- Typically, 450g of potatoes equals 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes.
- You can use a small pointed knife to peel the potatoes if you don't have a peeler.
Step 2. Cut the potatoes into cubes
After peeling them, remove the ends and any woody parts using a sharp knife. Then, cut them into bite-sized cubes (about 2 cm).
Regardless of the size, it is important that the cubes are uniform so that they all cook at the same time
Step 3. Boil the water
Take a medium-sized pot and fill it halfway with water. Add some salt and put the pot on the stove. Heat the water over high heat to bring it to a boil; it should take about 5-7 minutes.
A saucepan with a capacity of 2 liters should suffice to cook 450 g of sweet potatoes
Step 4. Cook the potatoes in the covered pot
When the water has reached a boil, add the potato cubes, then put the lid on the pot.
Step 5. Boil the sweet potatoes until soft
Let them cook until piercing them with a knife or fork are soft on the outside, but still quite firm in the center. The expected cooking time is about 10-15 minutes.
If you prefer the potatoes to be very soft, let them cook for 20-25 minutes
Step 6. Drain the potatoes
When they have reached the desired consistency, remove the pot from the heat. Place a colander in the sink and pour the potatoes into it to drain the cooking water.
Step 7. Season the potatoes with butter, salt and pepper
Transfer them to a large bowl, then add a tablespoon of butter (15 g) and salt and pepper to taste. Stir to evenly distribute the toppings.
You can also add other spices or herbs to taste. Often, sweet potatoes are paired with cinnamon, but if you prefer you can use something spicier to counteract the natural sweetness. For example, you could use chilli, paprika, or cayenne pepper
Step 8. Serve the sweet potatoes still warm
When they are well seasoned, transfer them to a serving dish. Boiled sweet potatoes go well with chicken, beef or pork, but also with delicate fish.
Method 2 of 3: Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Step 1. Peel and cut the sweet potatoes
For this recipe, you will need 4 medium sized potatoes. Peel them using the peeler, then cut them into large cubes with a sharp knife.
- Sweet potatoes can also be peeled with a knife, however you need to be very careful as you can get hurt easily.
- Try to get evenly sized cubes so that they all cook at the same time.
Step 2. Place the diced potatoes in the pot and cover them with water
Transfer them to a medium-sized pot and cover them with water. Add half a teaspoon of salt and mix to dissolve it.
Step 3. Bring the water to a boil
Put the pot on the stove and heat the water over high heat to bring it to a boil; it will take about 5-7 minutes.
Step 4. Turn the heat down and let the potatoes cook until soft
When the water reaches a boil, adjust the flame to a medium level. Let the potatoes cook until they are soft even in the center when they are pierced with a knife or fork. The cooking time required is about 20 minutes.
Step 5. Heat the milk and butter
While the potatoes are cooking, pour 120ml of milk and 2 tablespoons of butter (30g) into a saucepan. Heat the two ingredients over medium heat for about 3 minutes or until the butter is completely melted.
Step 6. Drain the sweet potatoes and return them to the pot
When you can easily skewer them with your fork, remove the pot from the heat. Place a colander in the sink and pour the potatoes into it to drain the cooking water. Let them drain for a couple of minutes, then return them to the pot.
Step 7. Add the milk and butter mixture, salt, then mash the potatoes
Pour the milk and butter mixture into the pot, then add half a teaspoon of salt. Mash the sweet potatoes with the potato masher and mix them with the hot milk and butter until you get a smooth and homogeneous puree.
You can use the hand blender if you want to make sure the puree is completely free of lumps
Step 8. Decorate the purée with the shallot
When it has reached a smooth and homogeneous consistency, transfer it to a serving dish. Sprinkle the sliced shallot on top of the sweet potato mash and serve while hot.
Adding the shallot is optional, so feel free not to use it
Method 3 of 3: Pan-fried Crispy Sweet Potatoes
Step 1. Peel and cut the sweet potatoes
For this recipe you will need a large sweet potato. Remove the peel with a potato peeler, then cut it into very small cubes (just over a centimeter) using a sharp knife.
Step 2. Heat the coconut oil in the pan
Pour 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of coconut oil into a large skillet, then put it on the stove. Wait until the coconut oil is completely liquid.
If you prefer, you can use extra virgin olive oil
Step 3. Add diced sweet potatoes and mix well
When the coconut oil is hot, pour the potato cubes into the pan. Stir until evenly seasoned.
Step 4. Add the salt, parsley and cinnamon
When the potato cubes are coated in oil, add half a teaspoon of sea salt, a tablespoon of dried parsley (2 g) and ground cinnamon to taste. Stir well to distribute the toppings.
You can substitute parsley and cinnamon for other flavorings to taste. If you want to add a spicy touch to the dish, you can use chilli, cayenne pepper or smoked paprika
Step 5. Cook the sweet potatoes until crisp on the outside
After seasoning them, let them cook until they are covered with an inviting crust. The expected cooking time is about 15-20 minutes. Occasionally, stir the sweet potatoes to prevent them from burning or sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Step 6. Pour the sweet potatoes into a serving dish and serve them while they are hot
When they are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, transfer them from the skillet to a serving dish. You can combine them with roast chicken, braised meat, pork chops and all your favorite meat courses.
