With Thanksgiving in our sights we are bringing out the Best Supporting Actress, the sweet potato. We have featured some awesome sweet potato casseroles in the past, but this season we are bringing individual loaded baked sweet potatoes. We love a good sweet and savory mix, and who knows, these sweet potatoes might even steal the show.
Sweet potatoes provide a delicious and nutritional boost to meals. They are high in beta-carotene, an antioxidant linked to improved immunity. Versatile and healthy, sweet potatoes are also easy to prepare. One medium sweet potato counts as one cup of vegetables in the MyPlate.gov Vegetable Group.
Sweet potatoes have long been an essential staple in cultures' diets worldwide. It has been found in cultivation for centuries across all economic and social classes and is considered indigenous to the Western hemisphere. The sweet potato tends to be harder than its russet counterpart, especially as it is not a potato but a Morning Glory family member (American Indian Health and Diet Project).
Each month the Colorado Department of Agriculture features a different ag commodity to highlight the variety and quality of products grown and raised in the state. Chef Jason Morse of 5280 Culinary brings us loaded sweet potatoes for November.
Chef Jason says, “It’s time to fire up your oven or grill and bake some sweet potatoes! Then we take you on a flavor journey and next it’s time to load them with butter, marshmallow fluff, whipped cream and praline pecans. That’s perfection. Happy Cooking!”
Loaded Sweet Potatoes
Chef Jason K. Morse, C.E.C., 5280 Culinary, LLC and Ace Hardware Grill Expert
Yield: Serves 4 people
Prep time: 5 minutes
Freeze time: 45-55 minutes - cook to internal temperature of 205 degrees Fahrenheit
Ingredients:
4 Sweet potatoes, medium size, washed and dried
2 tbsp oil, canola/olive oil blend
1 ½ tbsp salt and pepper blend, cracked pepper/kosher salt
4-8 tbsp butter, salted
1 tsp Rub-A-Dub seasoning, 5280 Culinary
½ cup cinnamon whip cream or regular whip cream
½ cup marshmallow fluff
½ cup praline pecans, rough chopped
Directions:
- Wash all tools prior to use
- Clean and sanitize all cutting boards and prep surfaces prior to use
- Read all manufacturer’s instructions before using grills, starters and any cooking tools
Cooking Instructions:
- Heat oven or grill to 400˚ F.
- While oven is heating up, place potatoes in a medium stainless steel bowl. Coat lightly with oil and season to taste with Salt/Pepper Mixture.
- Place potatoes onto a cooking sheet pan.
- Open the oven or grill and add potatoes onto the center rack.
- Close the oven or grill and cook for 45 minutes, before the first temperature check.
- Cook until temp hits desired doneness. Goal is an internal temp of 205˚ F (for fluffiest potato texture).
- Using tongs and heat proof gloves, remove pan and potatoes from the grill or oven, place onto a cooling rack and allow to rest for 2-3 minutes so potatoes can cool slightly.
- Slice potatoes down the center and load with:
- Rub-A-Dub – light seasoning inside the potato
- Butter
- Marshmallow Fluff
- Cinnamon Whipped Cream
- Praline Pecans
If you are of legal drinking age and would like to add a wine with your meal check out this 2022 Governor’s Cup Winner from Grand Junction at Carlson Vineyards, a Sweet Baby White. For alcohol alternatives, check out Sparkling CBD Beverages. CBD infused beverages like sparkling citrus water, sparkling cherry soda, and more.
Visit www.coloradoproud.org for a complete list of recipes.