How to prepare sweetpotatoes?

Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Pierce the sweet potatoes a few times with a fork or skewer, if you have a microwave then cook them in the microwave on high for 6-8 mins or until soft, test them after 6 mins with the point of a knife or a skewer. 2. Rub each with 1 tsp of the oil and some seasoning.

Why do you need to soak sweet potatoes before cooking?

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: The main secrets to achieving that incredible crispy texture, is to soak the cut sweet potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This helps remove the starch from the sweet potatoes so they´re not limp & soggy .

Why do you soak sweet potatoes before baking?

The cold water bath helps rinse the starch off the sweet potatoes so they're a bit more crispy . That said, if you do not have the time, you can still get crispy baked sweet potato fries by using high heat and a little drizzle of olive oil.

Do you need to pierce sweet potatoes before roasting?

This is for taste purposes only, so if you're going to peel the skin off and mash the flesh, don't bother. Stick the potato on a baking sheet in the oven—no need to wrap it or prick it—and cook until it's totally tender: A cake tester should pierce the skin and slide through the soft center .

Are sweet potatoes better in oven or microwave?

Can You Cook Sweet Potatoes in the Microwave? Yes, you can! In fact, the shorter cook time will help the sweet potatoes retain more nutrients that are often lost in the long oven-baking process. It's not all that different than baking a sweet potato in the oven, except it's a whole lot faster .

How long does it take to Parcook potatoes?

A general rule of thumb is to parboil potatoes until they are fork-tender but not falling apart, this can range anywhere from 15 minutes for small potatoes to 25-30 minutes for large whole potatoes .

Do you need to peel sweet potatoes before cooking?

There is not much difference between boiling sweet potatoes with the skins on versus peeling them, but you will get a boost of fiber and potassium if you keep the skin on. The skin also adds a subtle texture to each bite. If you're looking for a smoother mash, peel the potatoes first before boiling .

Should you peel sweet potatoes before eating?

Yes, you can eat sweet potato skin , whether it's an orange, white or purple sweet potato. So the next time you make sweet potatoes, try keeping the skin on. Not only will it save you prep time and add a textural component to the dish, but there are also nutritional benefits to leaving the peel on.

Is it better to boil or bake sweet potatoes?

Baking can also cause an 80% drop in vitamin A levels, twice as much as boiling. Therefore, from a nutritional standpoint, boiling rather than baking should be recommended for cooking sweet potato .

How do you peel and cut sweet potatoes?

Peel the sweet potato from root to tip : Obvious, but helpful! Use a serrated peeler if you've got it, although a regular peeler is fine. Make long, even strokes from root to tip to remove the peel, turning as you go. Find (or cut) an even surface: Once your sweet potato is peeled, give it a roll on your cutting board.

Sweet Potato Toast with Tahini Arugula Recipe

Published: Oct 19, 2015 · Modified: Sep 12, 2023 by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 11 Comments

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When you want something healthy and easy for lunch or dinner, this Sweet Potato Toast with Tahini Arugula is packed with fall flavors and plenty of health benefits.

There are times when I can't pinpoint exactly how or when I came up with a recipe idea, but I have no doubt about this one. It was a single quote that inspired the idea. A couple of weeks ago, I listened to an interview on NPR (National Public Radio, for those not in the U.S.), where Fresh Air's Dave Davies was speaking to James Beard award winning chef, Michael Solomonov. Israeli-born Solomonov opened his first restaurant, Zahav, in Philadelphia in 2008 and just released a cookbook by the same name.

When speaking about the heart of soul of Israeli cooking, Solomonov said, "On the first day, God created tehina." Tehina, meaning tahini (ground sesame seeds) for those of us in North America. He uses it in sauces and dips, for glazing vegetables and for many other purposes beyond that.

When I heard that, my mind exploded. Clearly, I was missing out on an ingredient that could add a layer of richness and flavor without much effort.

The tahini inspiration quickly turned into an idea for a tahini salad dressing of some sort, with lemon juice for a hit of acid and a drizzle of agave nectar (or honey) to balance with sweetness. Perfect to dress some peppery arugula.

When you have a flavor as lovely as tahini, why stop at a salad? Since it 'tis the season for all-things-sweet-potato, I quickly cooked up a sweet potato in the microwave (6 minutes or less!) and mashed it with ground coriander and paprika. I piled it all on top of a piece of toasted whole wheat country style bread, along with the dressed arugula. In about 15 minutes, you have a healthy, easy lunch or dinner that also happens to be vegan.

Sweet potatoes boast a list of healthy benefits as long as your arm. Not only are they one of the best natural sources of beta carotene, but they are high in calcium, potassium, and Vitamins A and C. They are also fat free and relatively low in sodium. Some of my favorite side and main dishes involve sweet potatoes - grilled, roasted and stuffed.

As for the tahini...well, I'm sold. I'll be using it as far more than an ingredient for hummus from now on!

For a heartier meal, pair this recipe with a hearty meatless soup, such as Broccoli Cheese Potato Soup or Curried White Bean Soup.

Other easy, healthy lunch or dinner recipes:

Cookin' Canuck's
Cookin' Canuck's Light Curry Egg Salad with Greek Yogurt
Cookie + Kate's Lebanese Lemon-Parsley Bean Salad
Naturally Ella's Mediterranean Flatbread
The Cookie Rookie's Chicken Avocado Pitas

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