For years, I have been trying to find a way to eat sweet potatoes. (I hate the taste!) I kept hearing about the great health benefits (well not if you eat the traditional sweet potato pie) like how they are a good source of B and how they do that awesome 'slow release energy' stuff. I vowed that I would find a way to stomach them. (Yes, I really did vow. Like, for real.)It's like me hating meat loaf before I tried turkey in it. I am ashamed to say that I hated the taste and smell of sweet potatoes. It's weird because most of family inhale the suckers. (I swear my dad could eat 'em raw!)
I've tried them in a pie, deep fried, deep fried and breaded, baked on the grill, and etc. While they were alright breaded and deep fried, I tend to shy away from deep fried food. (I have worked at too many food places to not know had bad health-wise they are for you).
I was actually craving a childhood favorite of mine, cinnamon toast, one day and decided to try a healthier variation using sweet potato slices as the toast. So, I decided to bake slices of the potato on a pizza (metal, baking) pan at a medium temperature. (About 375deg). When they came out, I was so nervous to taste them, because I HATED sweet potatoes. But, lo and behold, I loved them! Absolutely delicious, nutritious, and low in calories.
This is about the easiest recipe ever. I don't know if I can even call it a recipe. (But I will!)
Enough of this! Here's the Recipe:
Ingredients:1 Sweet Potato
Non-stick Spray (Pam)
These are great eaten plain, but I need something extra. (I have weird taste buds, seriously!) Here's the toppings that I have tried and like so far:
Sweet Toppings: (Don't be afraid to try your own!)
Cinnamon and Splenda (or sugar)
Pumpkin Pie Spice and Splenda
Marshmallows (Put the small ones on right after they come out)
Savory Toppings:
Salt and Pepper
Italian Spices (I use the grinder kind)
Butter and Garlic Powder
Lemon Zest and Basil
Rosemary and Onion power (for real! It's good!)
Chili Powder
Directions: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Next, take the potato and scrub all the grit off of it, and towel it off. On a cutting board, cut the ends off. Then, cut the remainder, in a style of your choosing, into slices about 1/2 inch thick. (Example of styles: In the picture, I just sliced them into circle slices, but you can also cut them into steak fries.) Check for bad spots, and then place them on your pre-greased pan (I use metal, but glass would probably work too) about an inch apart.
Next, spray the tops with Pam. (or brush with oil or butter). Then, if you like, add a topping of your choice. (My fav is cinnamon and splenda).
Pop them in the oven for about 15-17 minutes.
After the timer sounds, take out the potatoes and set them on the counter. Take a tooth pick (or chopstick) and poke through the center of the thickest piece. If it is still hard in the middle, put the pan back in the oven for an additional 2-3 minutes. When the potatoes have reached the desired softness, let stand for a couple minutes. (They are hot!)
Then chow down!
1 potato will usually feed two people. These will also keep in the fridge for a couple days.
Another recipe,
With no peaches,
Jenn
