Recipes — sweet potatoes

5 Easy Sweet Potato Recipes That Are Insanely Simple

It's easy to be enticed by fancy, eye-catching recipes when dinnertime rolls around. After all, your work lunches are all about sad salads and soggy sandwiches. But, here's the thing: real beauty lies in simplicity. If you're looking for the simplest (yet most delicious) ingredient available this time of year, sweet potatoes ⁽¹⁾ are where it's at.

These bright orange dicots taste amazing, no matter how you cook them. Roast 'em, grill 'em, bake 'em - they'll still do the trick. Plus, they're jam-packed with nutrients, such as fiber, beta-carotene, vitamins A and C, meaning they can ward off those sneaky winter bugs. So, if you prefer spending time savoring your dinner than prepping it, these 5 easy sweet potato recipes are just the thing to hit the spot on a busy weekday.

1. Spicy Sweet Potato Soup

Whether you're looking for a light meal or something quick to tame your #hunger, winter soups are the way to go. This piquant version, however, goes the extra mile by combining two entirely different ingredients. Needless to say, the pairing is beyond scrumptious as the chipotle's spicy zest balances out the dicot's natural sweetness, creating a delicious combo in the process. Take that, chicken soup!

Ingredients:

1 cup dehydrated sweet potato

1 chipotle pepper

1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped

2 tbsp olive oil

3 cups of water

1 tsp dehydrated garlic (granulated)

½ tbsp tomato paste or passata

3 cups vegetable broth

Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. In a bowl, add the sweet potato pieces and one cup of water. Let them sit for 15 minutes until they hydrate. Then, remove them from the water and squeeze away any excess liquid.
2. In a pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onion for 2-3 minutes.
3. Then, add the rest of the ingredients and let the soup simmer until the sweet potato is fork-tender. This should take anywhere from 25-30 minutes.

2. Mediterranean-Inspired Sweet Potato Salad

Who said salads should only be served as a side dish? This twist on the classic Greek salad proves that the entree is more than just a way to supplement your meal, and could readily turn your dinners into the highlight of the day. Plus, with all the Mediterranean flair going around, you'll feel as if you're dining at a restaurant in Crete.

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups dehydrated sweet potato

½ cup Feta cheese, crumbled

½ cup green or black olives, pitted

¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, roughly chopped

1 tomato, chopped

2 tbsp olive oil

3 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Salt and pepper, to taste

Sesame seeds, to serve

Directions:

1. Add the sweet potatoes and one cup of lukewarm water to a bowl and let it hydrate from 15 minutes.
2. Once it's tender enough, remove from the bowl and get rid of the excess water.
3. Transfer the potatoes to a large bowl along with the rest of the ingredients.
4. Mix well so that everything is coated with the balsamic vinegar.

3. Sweet Potato Rosemary Crackers

Perfect for those days when you can't even with a full meal, these Goldfish look-alike crackers are the coolest way to sneak some nutrients into your body. Just add all the ingredients to a bowl, mix them well, and let your oven take it from there. Don't let the multiple steps fool you! This recipe doesn't take more than 10 minutes to prep.

Ingredients:

½ cup dehydrated sweet potato

2 tbsp unsalted butter

2 cups all-purpose flour

1½ tbsp baking soda

1 tsp dried rosemary

1 tsp sugar

Salt, to taste

Directions:

1. Pour one cup of lukewarm water to a bowl and add the sweet potato pieces. Let them sit until they hydrate, for about 15 minutes.
2. Remove them from the water, squeeze away all the excess liquid and transfer to a food processor. Blend until the potato turns into a smooth puree.
3. Now, add all the ingredients to a mixer and let it stir until they turn into one big lump.
4. Using your hands, knead the dough a bit and form a ball.
5. Divide it into four pieces, wrap each piece with wax paper, and let them cool in the fridge for half an hour.
6. Preheat the oven to 350^oF.
7. Using a rolling pin, roll out each ball on a floured surface until it's very thin.
8. Cut the dough into pieces with a cookie cutter and transfer them onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
9. Bake them for 10 minutes or until they turn crispy.

4. Southwestern Sweet Potato Hash

When you think of a hash, chances are you think of breakfast. But, the truth is the dish is a solid option for any time of the day, even dinner. So, if you're ready to give this whole hash-as-an-evening-meal thing a shot, you definitely need to start with this Southwestern version.

Ingredients:

¾ cup dehydrated sweet potato

½ pound turkey or chicken sausage, sliced

1 small onion, diced

1/3 cup dehydrated red bell pepper

3 tbsp olive oil

½ tsp dehydrated garlic

1 avocado, diced

½ tsp cumin

½ can black beans

Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Add two cups of water to a bowl along with the sweet potato and the bell pepper. Let them hydrate for 20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onion for a couple of minutes, and then add the bell peppers and the sweet potato. Cook for another 3 minutes.
3. Now, add the rest of the ingredients, except for the beans and cook for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Once the potatoes are cooked through, stir in the beans and let the hash simmer for another 5 minutes.

5. No-Bake Sweet Potato Brownies (also Paleo)

By now, we all know that sweet potatoes are a league of their own. After all, they're one of the few veggies that blend perfectly in both desserts and salty dishes. So, if you're ready to get a taste of the its sweet side, this recipe is hands-down the easiest way to get started.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup dehydrated sweet potato

¾ cup almond butter

1/3 maple syrup

½ cup of coconut sugar

1/3 cup almond flour

3 tbsp cocoa powder

½ tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla extract

A pinch of salt

Directions:

1. In a bowl, add 1 cup of water and the sweet potato and let it hydrate.
2. Meanwhile, line a baking pan with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350^oF.
3. Then, add the sweet potato, almond butter, and maple syrup to a bowl and mix using your hands.
4. Then, add the rest of the ingredients one at a time and mix well.
5. Pour the batter into the pan and using a spatula or a ladle, spread it into an even layer.
6. Bake the brownies for 25-30 minutes or until the batter is no longer sticky.
7. Serve with whipped cream, chopped nuts or dried fruits.

Now, we want to hear from you! What are your go-to easy sweet potato recipes? Any unique combos you'd like to share? We can't wait to hear your thoughts in the comments down below!

References:

1.  https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/sweet-potatoes/