Smashed Spiced Sweet Potatoes
A flavorful alternative to traditional mashed potatoes.
Ingredients:
4 lbs sweet potatoes
2 T butter
2 T pure maple syrup
1 T chili powder
2 tsp cumin seeds, toasted and ground (see Notes)
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Pierce each sweet potato in several places with a fork. Place directly on the oven rack and roast until soft, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Transfer to a cutting board; let stand until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes.
3. Slip off the skins and cut the sweet potatoes into 1" slices; transfer to a large bowl. Add butter. Smash the sweet potatoes with a potato masher or fork until fluffy but some lumps remain. Add maple syrup, chili powder, ground cumin, ginger, salt and pepper; stir to combine.
Notes:
Chile powder, cumin and ginger combined with a touch of maple syrup create a spicy-sweet flavor addition to a traditional Thanksgiving player.
Toast cumin seeds in a small skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool. Grind in a spice mill or blender into a fine powder.