Give Your Sweet Potatoes A New Flavor With Ginger
If you have a hankering for something new this holiday season, but don’t want anything too new, try Maple-Ginger Candied Sweet Potatoes.
This inventive new version of traditional candied sweet potatoes uses maple syrup and fresh ginger instead of the usual brown sugar and marshmallows. It satisfies the need for tradition without tasting the least bit conventional. The ginger gives the sweet potatoes a decided kick, while the maple syrup and orange juice provide the perfect balance of sweet and tart.
This recipe is so tasty, no one will notice that it is low in fat. The sweet potatoes are baked in a rich, delicious syrup that contains no added butter, margarine or oil. The syrup and potatoes can be baked several days in advance and reheated before serving, which takes the pressure off the harried holiday cook.
Maple-Ginger Candied Sweet Potatoes
Nonstick cooking spray
3-1/2 pounds whole fresh sweet potatoes (about 6 medium)
1 cup pure maple syrup
1 cup orange juice
3 slices fresh ginger, each about the size of a nickel, chopped (about 1 tablespoon total)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly coat a 3-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
Peel the sweet potatoes using a small, sharp knife or vegetable peeler. Cut the potatoes in 1/2-inch slices. Arrange overlapping slices in prepared pan.
In a small saucepan, combine maple syrup, orange juice, ginger, salt, pepper and onion. Bring to a boil. Stir and pour the hot syrup over the sweet potatoes.
Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes, basting periodically with the syrup.
Yield: 14 (4-ounce) servings.
Note: You can bake this dish up to three days in advance before serving. Cool and cover the baking dish securely and store it in the refrigerator. To reheat, bake 20 to 25 minutes in a 325-degree oven.
Nutrition information per serving: 180 calories, 1.3 grams protein, 39 grams carbohydrate, 2.4 grams fat (12 percent fat calories), no cholesterol, 137 milligrams sodium.
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