Do you ever find yourself making things more complicated than they need to be? I do. Lately, when I make sweet potatoes, I’ve been peeling, cutting, chopping, seasoning, and then roasting or grilling them. They’re wonderful – full of flavor and a healthy dose of nutrients.
The other night I made cinnamon-maple roasted sweet potatoes; and they are fast becoming a favorite of mine. My whole family likes them. But I have one child that craves a simpler taste. She looked at the dish of sweet potatoes and asked why we don’t have plain baked sweet potatoes anymore. Sure, she likes the new recipe, but her favorite is by far whole baked sweet potatoes.
Wait a minute – you mean I could forgo all the peeling, chopping, and mixing of the seasonings of this dish and instead serve plain baked sweet potatoes? Well, yes. While it’s fun to do something more interesting and complicated, it doesn’t have to happen every meal.
It’s said that we eat with our eyes. Just search for sweet potatoes on Pinterest and you’ll know what I mean. You’ll find mouth-watering photos of mashed sweet potatoes, sweet potato fries, sweet potato wedges, and much, much more . . . but not so many pictures of plain baked sweet potatoes. Let’s face it; they’re not as glamorous and eye-catching as the other sweet potato dishes. But, oh, they are so good.
Sometimes the simple things are exceptional all by themselves. Sweet potatoes are one of those foods God gave us that are healthy, filling, and delicious. When baked they can be eaten straight-up, though I do like to top mine with a little butter and a touch of brown sugar. They provide a good amount of fiber, vitamin B6, and potassium in each serving. They’re also a very good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and manganese.
My sweet potato loving child was extremely pleased the other night when we had plain baked sweet potatoes. If you’ve never tried them, you should; and if you’re not sure how, keep reading for the recipe below.
Healthy food doesn’t have to be complicated. It doesn’t have to entail a long list of ingredients and unfamiliar cooking techniques. Often it’s as basic as one ingredient, prepared simply, in a way that enhances its natural flavor and texture.
What do you think – can healthy food be prepared simply and delicious at the same time? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. If you’ve enjoyed this post please consider sharing it on Facebook or Twitter.
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Baked Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 medium sweet potatoes all similar in size
- 4 small sheets of foil
Instructions
- Line bottom of oven with foil to catch drips from the sweet potatoes as they bake. They can get pretty sticky.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Wash sweet potatoes and remove any bad spots that you see.
- Prick each sweet potato with a fork a few times around the potato.
- Wrap each sweet potato separately in a square of foil.
- Place each sweet potato in heated oven and bake for 40-50 minutes until done. You can tell it’s done if the sweet potato is easily squeezed and gives when gentle pressure is applied, or when a fork can easily pierce the potato.
- Remove from oven, unwrap, and serve.
You should try your sweet potato with a little apple pie spice. Don’t need butter or sugar they are so good and moist. Eat one for a snack almost every day
That sounds really good, too. I’ll have to try it next time. Thanks for stopping!
Hope you some leftovers for those waffles this week. Have you ever tried an herbed sweet potatoe casserole? Yumm
Sherry, I haven’t tried an herbed sweet potato casserole. Do share! It sounds wonderful. Have a great week!
Hi Marie,
It’s so funny because just the other day I was having a conversation with a friend about how we go out of our way to make sure we buy whole foods but then we bring them home and spend hours changing them – cutting, marinating, combining them with other things, etc. We really need to stick to the basics with cooking too and you’ve done that perfectly. Looks delicious!
Robyn, how funny that you had that conversation! Yea, I definitely over do it sometimes when plain or simple would work just fine. Thanks for your kind words!
I just bought some sweet potatoes. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever tried them (though I’ve tried yams). I’ve heard of their health benefits and thought I’d give them a shot!
I just love baked Sweet Potatoes! Hope you had a great weekend and thank you so much for sharing your awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday. Have a good week and come back soon!
Miz Helen
I love sweet potatoes let alone baked ones!
I never thought of using a sweet potato for a baked potato, going to have to try this. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays.
Hi Marie – I love a baked sweet potato! Thanks so much for linking up with the Let’s Get Real party!