Saturday, January 24, 2015

Baked sweet potatoes with salsa verde and chipotle


Sweet potatoes (or yams) are one of nature's most perfect foods.  Their list of health benefits is impressive...they're packed with vitamins B6, C & D, iron, magnesium, potassium, antioxidants, beta carotene and other carotenoids...you'll be warding off cancer, promoting anti-aging and managing stress by simply eating these tasty little sweeties.

Plus they are cheap and versatile and a satisfying plant-based entree...although they are a great side dish to any meat as well.  

Nothing could be easier than popping a few potatoes in the oven for an hour and adding these simple, bright toppings for some extra flava...so go ahead and get all healthy up in your kitchen!

Serves 4

4 small to medium orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (or yams)
olive oil
sea salt & fresh ground pepper
4 t. butter (optional)


salsa verde:

1/2 c. packed cilantro leaves
1/4 c. packed flat-leaf parsley leaves
2 green onions - whites & greens, sliced
1 small clove garlic, peeled & roughly chopped

1 t. lemon juice
1/2 t. sea or kosher salt & fresh ground pepper
1/4 c. olive oil

1 c. Greek yogurt
Chipotle hot sauce - I really like “Dan’s Prime Smoky Chipotle Sauce

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a rimmed sheet pan with aluminum foil.  Poke several holes in each sweet potato with a fork or paring knife.  Rub skins with olive oil.  Place in oven and cook for one hour.

Near the end of baking time, prepare the salsa verde.  Combine the cilantro, parsley, green onion, garlic, lemon juice, salt & pepper and olive oil in a mini food processor or blender.  Pulse in one second intervals until herbs are nicely chopped and ingredients are combined.  This sauce does not have to be totally smooth - it can be a little chunky.

Remove the sweet potatoes from oven.  Slice through the top skin to reveal the flesh, like a baked potato.   With a fork, gently mix the flesh of each potato with salt & pepper to taste, and 1 t. butter (optional).

Top each sweet potato with a dollop of Greek yogurt, a generous spoonful of salsa verde and a drizzle of chipotle sauce.

1 comment:

  1. Baked yams are awesome. I like them mashed on my plate with a fork with some melted butter, salt, pepper, and just a little half & half. Delish and a nice accompaniment to a steak off the charcoal grill.

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