Antioxidant Rich Hot Honey Sweet Potatoes

By: Kristen Baer

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes for prep and 40 minutes to bake

The holidays are finally upon us, and group gatherings are occurring at an exponential rate, meaning you’ll need a stash of dish ideas for dinners and celebrations in your back pocket. Sometimes I find myself experiencing ‘chef's block,’ and have to remind myself that some of the most delicious meals are made out of overlooked ingredients. One of the most versatile and easiest vegetables to cook are potatoes. From summer to winter, the sweet potato is a great addition to any meal with its eye-catching color and pleasant, yet subtle, sweetness. Not only is it tasty but sweet potatoes yield many health benefits that are important to your body year-round as well. Most notably, as a starchy food, sweet potatoes provide a robust supply of energy and serve as a great source of carbohydrates, creating a balanced meal (Neela).They also contain an abundance of fiber, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants which prevent damage to our DNA and other important cells (Halliwell). However, the sweet potato is not the only star player of the dish. The sweet heat of the hot honey pairs deliciously with the earthy-notes of the sweet potato, but it doesn't end there. Honey is linked to many health benefits and provides plenty of antioxidant benefits, as well as anti-inflammatory agents (Terzo). Honey consists mostly of water and carbohydrates, but it also contains a variety of sugars that contribute to improved energy levels (Terzo).

This recipe gives a fun and new twist to a holiday staple while also proving to be beneficial to your health. Prepare and serve this recipe at your next function; watch your friends and family praise this delicious, unique and mouth watering dish. Plus, if there are any leftovers, this dish can be stored in the fridge for up to two days!

Ingredients:

  • 2 large sweet potatoes

  • 3 tbsp butter, melted

  • 2 tbsp of hot honey (may be purchased or homemade by infusing red pepper flakes/jalapenos into the honey)

  • ½ tsp brown sugar

  • ½ tsp salt

  • Black pepper to taste

 Instructions:

  1. First, preheat the oven to 450 degrees fahrenheit. Next, prep the sweet potatoes by cutting them into wedges or cubed-sized bites.

  2. Spread the sweet potatoes onto a baking sheet, evenly distributing them for optimal roasting.

  3. Begin to drizzle the sweet potatoes with the melted butter and then season with the brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Toss well to ensure the potatoes are evenly coated.

  4. Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast the sweet potatoes for 20 minutes, flip them, then return to the oven for an additional 15-20 minutes or until they are tender and caramelized.

  5. While the potatoes are roasting, simmer the honey on the stovetop and add your choice of spice to infuse the heat. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes then strain.

  6. Transfer the roasted sweet potatoes to a serving dish and then finish them off by drizzling the hot honey over top of them and garnish with red pepper flakes.

  7. Serve and enjoy!

 

 Reference List:

Halliwell, B. (n.d.). Antioxidants in human health and disease. Annual Reviews. Retrieved November 13, 2021, from https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.nu.16.070196.000341?casa_token=owFyRt5xnAoAAAAA%3AwWHNl5gMsbFbV9A53FyafRwfA5s4Ndjtj6t5ZsdZn3T7ndxG3HqRwpNxRTtmP6Eqi4oCIjBhX-J3Cg.

Neela, S., & Fanta, S. W. (2019, May 17). Review on nutritional composition of orange‐fleshed sweet potato and its role in management of vitamin A deficiency. Wiley Online Library. Retrieved November 13, 2021, from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/fsn3.1063.

Terzo, S., Mulè, F., & Amato, A. (2020, April 17). Honey and obesity-related dysfunctions: A summary on Health Benefits. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. Retrieved November 13, 2021, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955286320300206.

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