Mashed Sweet Potatoes
This recipe transforms sweet potatoes into a rich, flavorful mashed side dish. Boiled sweet potatoes are combined with butter, sautéed bananas, orange juice, chicken stock, and brown sugar, then mashed until creamy. Seasoned with nutmeg, salt, pepper, and orange zest, it offers a unique sweet and savory profile, perfect for holiday meals or as a comforting side.
Equipment
- 1 Large Pot For boiling potatoes and combining ingredients.
- 1 Potato Masher Or ricer/food mill for smoother consistency.
- 1 Chef's knife For peeling and cutting sweet potatoes.
- 1 Cutting Board For prep work.
- 1 Microplane or Zester For grating orange zest.
Ingredients
Main
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes peeled and cut into chunks
- 1/2 stick butter
- 1 banana sliced
- 1 orange zested and juiced
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Boil potatoes until tender, drain and reserve. Return the pot to the stove top over medium heat. Add butter and bananas to the pot. Cook bananas 5 minutes and add the juice of 1 orange to the pot, reserve the zest. Allow the juice to cook out, 1 minute. Add potatoes to the pot and the stock and sugar. Mash potatoes, banana, stock and sugar together until well combined. Season with nutmeg, salt, pepper and orange zest, to your taste. Mash to combine spices and serve.
Notes
For an exceptionally smooth texture, consider using a potato ricer or food mill instead of a traditional masher. Be careful not to overmash, as sweet potatoes can become gummy. The combination of banana, orange, and brown sugar makes this a very sweet dish; adjust the brown sugar to taste, and ensure adequate salt is added to balance the sweetness. Using a good quality butter will significantly enhance the flavor. While chicken stock is specified, vegetable stock or even a touch of cream can be used for a richer, creamier result. For an elevated presentation, garnish with extra fresh orange zest or a sprinkle of toasted pecans before serving. Ensure the orange juice cooks down sufficiently to concentrate its flavor without making the mash too tart.