Make Ahead Sweet Potatoes Recipes

CLASSIC CANDIED SWEET POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place whole sweet potatoes in a steamer over a couple of inches of boiling water, and cover. Cook until tender, about 30 minutes. Drain and cool.
• Peel, and slice sweet potatoes lengthwise into 1/2 inch slices. Place in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, brown sugar, water and salt. When the sauce is bubbly and sugar is dissolved, pour over potatoes.
• Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour, occasionally basting the sweet potatoes with the brown sugar sauce.

CANDIED SWEET POTATOES

Steps:

• Peel then slice the sweet potatoes into 1/2 inch thick slices. Place in a greased 9×13 inch or other 3 quart baking dish. Sprinkle salt on top and toss to coat. I just use nonstick spray to grease.
• Preheat oven to 375°F (191°C).
• Cut stick of butter in half. (Helps it melt easier.) Combine all the butter, water, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger into a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir until the butter has melted. Stop stirring and bring to a gentle boil. Boil for 2 minutes without stirring. Remove sauce from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. (And orange zest, if using.)
• Pour sauce over potatoes and toss to coat.
• Bake for 1 hour, stopping and stirring the sweet potatoes every 20 minutes. After the first 20 minutes, I cover the dish with aluminum foil so the potatoes bake evenly.
• Remove from the oven, sprinkle with rosemary and sea salt (if using), then cool uncovered for 10 minutes before serving. The sauce is thin right out of the oven but thickens as it cools.
• Cover and store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Sauce will be thick after refrigeration, but thins out as you warm the leftovers up. Simply warm in the microwave.

MAKE-AHEAD BAKED SWEET POTATOES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Pierce sweet potatoes with fork to allow steam to escape. Bake about 45 minutes or until tender.
• Cut thin lengthwise slice from each potato; carefully scoop out inside of potato, leaving a thin shell. Mash potatoes in large bowl until no lumps remain. Beat in sour cream and milk. Beat in brown sugar, butter and salt until potatoes are light and fluffy.
• Place shells in ungreased rectangular baking dish, 13x9x2 inches. Fill shells with potato mixture. Cover and refrigerate no longer than 24 hours.
• Heat oven to 400°F. Bake uncovered about 25 minutes or until potato mixture is golden brown. (If baking filled shells immediately after mashing potatoes, bake about 20 minutes.)

MAPLE-ROASTED SWEET POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Arrange sweet potatoes in an even layer in a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish. Combine maple syrup, butter, lemon juice, salt and pepper in small bowl. Pour the mixture over the sweet potatoes; toss to coat.
• Cover and bake the sweet potatoes for 15 minutes. Uncover, stir and cook, stirring every 15 minutes, until tender and starting to brown, 45 to 50 minutes more.

MASHED SWEET POTATOES

Steps:

• Add potatoes to a Dutch oven and add just enough water to cover potatoes. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil (I cover to speed up the process, then uncover); reduce heat and simmer 10-15 minutes or until very tender when pierced with a fork; drain VERY WELL. Transfer drained potatoes to a mixing bowl.
• Heat butter and milk in the microwave for 1 1/2 minutes or until the butter is mostly melted. Add butter/milk to sweet potatoes along with all remaining ingredients except chives. Beat with a hand held mixer for a fluffier and smoother consistence or mash with a potato masher or fork for a chunkier/heavier consistency.
• When potatoes are almost to desired consistency add chives and mix in. Add additional milk if desired for smoother/creamier potatoes. Garnish with a pad of softened butter and fresh parsley or thyme if desired.

MAKE-AHEAD WHIPPED SWEET POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Roast the potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet until soft and tender, about 1 hour. Let cool for a few minutes, then use paper towels or a kitchen towel to help remove the skins.
• Process the sweet potato meat, butter, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, cinnamon, allspice and cayenne in a food processor until smooth. Let cool to room temperature. Transfer to an airtight, microwave-safe container, label and date, and freeze for up to 2 weeks.
• To serve, reheat in the microwave, stirring often. Transfer to a serving dish, and top with the pecans and scallions.