Savory Sweet Potato Delight is your ticket to turning a humble root vegetable into a show-stopping side dish. With a blend of creamy textures, aromatic herbs, and a nutty finish, it’s a dish that fits perfectly on any dinner table.
Sweet potatoes form the creamy base, bringing natural sweetness and a smooth texture. Olive oil adds richness, helping to meld flavors together. Fresh rosemary introduces an aromatic, earthy note that complements the sweetness. Black pepper and kosher salt are essential for seasoning, enhancing all the other flavors without overpowering them. Unsalted butter provides a silky finish, while Parmesan cheese creates a savory, golden crust. Finally, toasted pecans add a crunchy, nutty contrast that rounds out the dish.
This dish pairs wonderfully with roasted chicken or pork tenderloin. For a vegetarian meal, serve it alongside a hearty salad with lots of greens and a tangy vinaigrette. It also complements spicy dishes, offering a sweet and savory balance.
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This way, it'll be ready to go once you've prepped everything else. Next, take your sweet potatoes and peel them, then cut them into cubes. Aim for uniform pieces to ensure even cooking. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the sweet potatoes. Let them cook until they're tender, which should take about 20 minutes. You can check by poking them with a fork; they should be soft all the way through.
Once the sweet potatoes are cooked, drain them and transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Now it's time to mash. You can use a potato masher or a fork, depending on how smooth you like your mash. Into the mashed potatoes, mix in the olive oil, rosemary, black pepper, kosher salt, and melted butter. Stir until everything is well combined and the mixture is smooth.
Spread the mashed sweet potatoes into a 9x13 inch baking dish, smoothing out the top with a spatula. Evenly sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the top, ensuring a good coverage for that crispy, cheesy layer. Slide the dish into your preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. You're looking for the cheese to become golden and bubbly, which adds a lovely texture to the dish.
Finally, remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle the toasted pecans over the top. They add a lovely crunch and a rich, nutty flavor that complements the sweetness of the potatoes. Serve it warm, right from the baking dish, and enjoy!
Share