It's hard to find a vegetable as well-rounded as the sweet potato. It's delicious, it's good for you, and its exquisite coral flesh could inspire one to poetry...in the kitchen, that is.
Even Desi, who loves bananas and won't concede that the sweet potato is a richer source of potassium (it is), loves to eat this superfood whenever I cook it up for him, in dishes like this African sweet potato stew.
But a recipe I came across recently, thanks to a colleague Michael who is also an avowed sweet potato fan, sent me running to the supermarket for some sweet potatoes. Michael swore that the recipe from the wonderful Martha Shulman, that had appeared in the New York Times, was one of the best he'd had. If you have never before browsed Shulman's recipes for a rainbow of vegetables in the Times' Nutrition section, you're in for a treat.
The beauty of this recipe is that it is really simple, but it packs so much flavor that it's hard to believe just a handful of ingredients can produce a taste so complex and rich. I served up this spicy sauced sweet potato dish with a pilaf I made by tossing together some quinoa with green peppers and caramelized onions. I'll share that recipe with you in a day or two.
I didn't modify the recipe at all, except to use less oil. I also used only cayenne, not paprika and cayenne, as Shulman does. It was delicious.
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Spicy Braised Vegan Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 very large sweet potatoes (or 4 small ones). Peel and cube the potatoes in ¾-inch cubes. Set aside.
- 1 large red onion , sliced thinly across
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon cayenne
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- Water
Instructions
- Heat the oil and add the onions with a pinch of salt. Saute until they turn translucent, about five minutes.
- Add the tomato paste and cayenne. Cook, stirring, for about a minute or two until the tomato paste darkens.
- Add the sweet potato cubes and toss well to coat with the spices. Add the white wine, enough water to cover the potatoes about halfway (I needed just over a cup), and bring to a boil.
- Lower the heat to a simmer, slap on a lid, and cook for about 40 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are really tender.
- Add more salt if needed. Serve hot
Brigan the Vegan
What kind of wine did you use? Many wines and other alcohols are not vegan, so I usually hesitate to use them in recipes. I'd love to know what kind of vegan wine you found so that I can pick some up and make these potatoes!Thanks!
Elizabeth
This looks and sounds good. I love the image. I always have sweet potatoes on hand. Does anyone know how to make homemade baked sweet potato fries that are crispy, not soft???
saravixen
Seems simple but oh so good!
Vaishali
Sanyukta, thanks!
Anthony, hope you like them!:)
Hemalata, Usha, Thanks!
Usha
Looks stunning and inviting !
Priya
Braised sweet potatoes, quite new for me..
hemalata
Delicious and colorful baked sweet potatoes.Nice presentation
anthony stemke
My spouse loves baked sweet potatoes, I sneak boiled sweet potatoes into dals and such.
This sweet potato recipe looks lovely, will make it for lunch.
Thank You.
Sanyukta Gour(Bayes)
Looks absolutely yummy n tempting...
Sanyukta