So because she was in the whole autumn spirit, my mom brought home a bunch of sweet potatoes that she baked, and that weren't particularly sweet. They weren't cooked enough either, but my mom doesn't have the patience to actually test if the stuff she bakes is actually done when it comes out of the oven.
I decided to rescue the forlorn sweet potatoes and transform them into something healthy and amazing and very autumn. Yes, I know, I'm 2 months too early to be making sweet potato casseroles, but I'm convinced its the best way to ever eat these tuberous roots. (besides the egyptian way with a sweet bechamel sauce on top - shall post recipe later)
Usually sweet potato casseroles necessitate pounds of butter, brown sugar, and marshmallows. Of course they taste heavenly, but they're a bit impractical for everyday eating.
Instead, I substitute almond butter for regular butter because they both essentially serve the same purpose : to hold the streusel together. Why have a ordinary streusel when you can have a nutty, rich, and decadent one with a couple tablespoons of some good ol' almond butter? My other secret is honey: you need less of it and it makes dishes just as sweet as sugar. That's why I can get away with an eight of a cup of honey and still have a perfectly sweet dessert! Raisins in the potato mash also add some extra juiciness, reducing the amount of maple syrup you have to mix in. Feel free to substitute with dried cranberries, blueberries, apples, etc.
Note :
Using large knives makes chopping nuts a lot easier. Also use a dry chopping board (I've made the mistake of using a damp one way too many times)
For potatoes
5 sweet potatoes
1/8 cup + 1 Tbsp maple syrup
1/4 cup raisins
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
For streusel
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/8th cup + 1 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp almond butter
Potatoes
- Heat oven to 400 degrees. Poke sweet potatoes with a fork before baking for 45 minutes or until tender.
- Peel sweet potatoes and mash while still hot.
- Stir in maple syrup, raisins, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
- Pour mixture into baking dish.
- Add chopped pecans, rolled oats, almond butter, and honey to a small bowl and incorporate well.
- Add more honey if you prefer the streusel sweeter.
- Sprinkle on top of the mashed sweet potatoes
- Lower oven heat to 350 degrees and bake for 40 minutes or until top begins to brown.