Buying Sweet Potatoes
When buying sweet potatoes, look for ones that are firm, without cracks, bruises, or soft spots. Try and avoid refrigerated varieties, since cold temperatures alter the taste and speed decay. Warmer temperatures accelerate sprouting and loss of moisture, therefore resulting in a sweeter taste!
Storing
Once you get your sweet potatoes picked out, make sure to keep them stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from a heat source. Storing them loose (not kept in a bag) is suggested. They should be able to keep for 6 to 10 months. That's a long time!
Cooking
There is a variety of ways to cook sweet potatoes. In the first sweet potato post, I gave you a recipe for stuffed sweet potatoes with pecans. There are many other ways that you can cook them: think breads, muffins, casseroles, stews, and even puddings and pies!
The easiest way to cook a sweet potato is to just try one just by itself! If you don't have a lot of time, you can simply poke the potato with a fork and then microwave it until it's soft. It usually takes less than 7 minutes in the microwave.
If it's not sweet enough on it's own, you can add a little olive oil, brown sugar and cinnamon. Many times I find that the good ones don't need extra flavoring! Or you can try my personal favorite...
Sweet Potato Fries!
Here is yet another interesting option for your orange cancer fighting veggie!
Sweet Potato Dessert Purée
Purée cooked sweet potatoes with bananas, maple syrup and cinnamon. Scoop into a cup or small bowl and top with chopped walnuts. You can alter the amounts of each ingredient to your taste.
I would love to hear your recipes for sweet potatoes! Comment on the site or send me an email and I'll share them with all the readers!
- Julie
When buying sweet potatoes, look for ones that are firm, without cracks, bruises, or soft spots. Try and avoid refrigerated varieties, since cold temperatures alter the taste and speed decay. Warmer temperatures accelerate sprouting and loss of moisture, therefore resulting in a sweeter taste!
Storing
Once you get your sweet potatoes picked out, make sure to keep them stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from a heat source. Storing them loose (not kept in a bag) is suggested. They should be able to keep for 6 to 10 months. That's a long time!
Cooking
There is a variety of ways to cook sweet potatoes. In the first sweet potato post, I gave you a recipe for stuffed sweet potatoes with pecans. There are many other ways that you can cook them: think breads, muffins, casseroles, stews, and even puddings and pies!
The easiest way to cook a sweet potato is to just try one just by itself! If you don't have a lot of time, you can simply poke the potato with a fork and then microwave it until it's soft. It usually takes less than 7 minutes in the microwave.
If it's not sweet enough on it's own, you can add a little olive oil, brown sugar and cinnamon. Many times I find that the good ones don't need extra flavoring! Or you can try my personal favorite...
Sweet Potato Fries!
- Cut the potato into strips (you choose the thickness!).
- Sprinkle with olive oil, pepper, cinnamon, paprika and a little salt.
- Bake in the oven at 350. It can take up to 45 minutes to get them crunchy, but it's well worth it!
Here is yet another interesting option for your orange cancer fighting veggie!
Sweet Potato Dessert Purée
Purée cooked sweet potatoes with bananas, maple syrup and cinnamon. Scoop into a cup or small bowl and top with chopped walnuts. You can alter the amounts of each ingredient to your taste.
I would love to hear your recipes for sweet potatoes! Comment on the site or send me an email and I'll share them with all the readers!
- Julie
Hi Julie, I like your blog! It's been really informative.
I love sweet potatoes for their ease of storage and quick use. One combo that I like, that may or may not be a turn off to others, is to just "bake" (i.e., in the microwave) the sweet potato and then mash it up with some natural peanut butter for a good vegetarian main dish when I'm having a light & quick dinner. I mean, it's not necessarily something I'd serve to guests, as the presentation is a bit lacking, but when it's just me it's great. :-) I prefer the natural peanut butter that has salt added, but people watching their salt intake might like it well enough with the non-salty PB.
Keep up the good work!
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