Savory Spiced Sweet Potato Bake
Elevate your holiday table with this Savory Spiced Sweet Potato Bake, a delightful transformation of the traditional sweet potato dish. Gone are the days of overly sugary sides; this recipe celebrates the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes while introducing bold flavors. The combination of slow-cooked onions, golden raisins, and a touch of warming spices creates a perfect harmony, enhancing the sweet potato's beautiful, earthy notes. Not only does this dish promise to be a star at holiday gatherings, but it’s also versatile enough to grace your dinner table any night of the week. Make-ahead adaptable and appealing, it’s sure to impress family and friends, giving new life to a beloved classic. Whether served warm or at room temperature, this dish is a comforting reminder of the good things in life.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Canola oil or vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (for sautéing)
Sweet onions
2 medium (halved and thinly sliced)
Sweet potatoes
3.5 lbs (peeled and cut into large cubes)
Water
2 cups (for cooking)
Golden raisins
3/4 cup (for sweetness and texture)
Light brown sugar
2 tablespoons (for a hint of sweetness)
Salt
1 teaspoon (for flavor enhancement)
Ground ginger
1 teaspoon (for warming spice)
Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (for depth of flavor)
Cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon (for a kick of heat)
Instructions
1
1. Begin by heating the canola or vegetable oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
2
2. Add the thinly sliced sweet onions to the skillet and sauté them for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally until they become fragrant and slightly translucent.
3
3. Introduce the large cubes of sweet potato to the skillet, stirring to combine with the onions. Sauté for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the sweet potatoes to develop a slight caramelization.
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4. Carefully pour in 2 cups of water and add the golden raisins, light brown sugar, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Stir well to incorporate all the ingredients.
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5. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and allow the mixture to simmer for approximately 12 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender.
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6. After cooking, remove the skillet from heat. The bake can be served immediately, or allowed to cool and served at room temperature if you prefer.
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7. For make-ahead convenience, this dish can be prepared up to 2 days in advance. To reheat, transfer the sweet potato mixture into a casserole dish, let it stand for 30 minutes at room temperature, and then bake at 325°F (160°C) for about 30 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Spiced Sweet Potato Bake?
It is a savory transformation of the traditional holiday sweet potato dish, featuring slow-cooked onions, golden raisins, and warming spices.
What type of oil should I use for this recipe?
You can use 2 tablespoons of canola oil or vegetable oil for sautéing.
How should the onions be prepared?
The two medium sweet onions should be halved and thinly sliced.
How long do I sauté the onions?
Sauté the onions for about 3 minutes until they are fragrant and slightly translucent.
How much sweet potato is required?
The recipe calls for 3.5 lbs of sweet potatoes.
How should the sweet potatoes be cut?
Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into large cubes.
How long should the sweet potatoes sauté with the onions?
Sauté them for 10 minutes to allow for a slight caramelization.
How much water is added for simmering?
Add 2 cups of water to the skillet.
What kind of raisins are used?
The recipe uses 3/4 cup of golden raisins for sweetness and texture.
How much brown sugar is in this dish?
It uses 2 tablespoons of light brown sugar for a hint of sweetness.
What spices provide the warming flavor?
Ground ginger and cinnamon provide the warming depth of flavor.
Is this sweet potato bake spicy?
It has a slight kick of heat from 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
How long does the mixture need to simmer?
Simmer covered for approximately 12 minutes.
How do I know the sweet potatoes are finished cooking?
The sweet potatoes should be fork-tender when finished.
At what temperature can this dish be served?
It can be served immediately while warm or at room temperature.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, it can be prepared up to 2 days in advance.
How do I reheat the sweet potato bake?
Transfer it to a casserole dish, let it stand at room temperature for 30 minutes, then bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long does it take to reheat?
Reheating takes about 30 minutes in the oven.
Is this recipe vegan-friendly?
Yes, it is tagged as vegan-friendly and vegetarian.
What kind of skillet is recommended?
A large, heavy skillet is recommended for the initial sautéing and simmering.
Does this dish contain salt?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of salt is included for flavor enhancement.
How much ginger is used?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of ground ginger.
How much cinnamon is included?
The recipe includes 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 10 ingredients in total.
Is this considered a holiday dish?
Yes, it is specifically described as an elevation for holiday tables.
What role do the onions play in the flavor profile?
Slow-cooked sweet onions create a perfect harmony with the natural sweetness of the potatoes.
Are the sweet potatoes peeled?
Yes, the instructions specify to peel the sweet potatoes before cubing them.
What heat setting is used for simmering?
The heat should be reduced to low once the lid is covered for simmering.
Can I use vegetable oil instead of canola oil?
Yes, either canola or vegetable oil can be used.
What is the first step of the recipe?
Begin by heating the oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat.