Baked Sweet Potatoes

This straightforward sweet potato recipe brings out the best in these vibrant tubers, offering a delightful balance of flavors and textures that's sure to please your taste buds. With each tender bite, you'll experience the harmonious blend of rich sweetness with a subtle hint of smokiness. Whether enjoyed as a wholesome side or a standalone meal, the aromatic allure of Kenyan Pilau Masala makes each mouthful worth savoring. Embrace the heartwarming essence of home-cooked comfort with our baked sweet potato recipe, designed to infuse your kitchen with tantalizing aromas and your palate with an explosion of natural flavors. Serves 2-4
 


INGREDIENTS

2  medium-sized Sweet Potatoes
2  tablespoons Olive Oil
1  teaspoon Kenyan Pilau Masala, or to taste
½ teaspoon Kosher salt, or adjust to taste
 

BAKING INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Adjust your oven racks to the middle position. (This is ideal for most foods since it allows the hot air to circulate around the wings, resulting in even cooking.)
  2. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  3. Prepare the baking pan: Line a baking pan with foil or parchment paper to make cleaning up easier.
  4. Wash and scrub the sweet potatoes thoroughly under running water. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
  5. Cut the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise, creating two long halves. Place the halves on a cutting board, cut side down. Using a fork or a paring knife, pierce the skin of the sweet potatoes a few times to allow steam to escape during the baking process.
  6. Season the sweet potatoes: Place the halves on a baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil on the sweet potatoes and use your hands to rub the oil all over. Sprinkle salt over the cut side/flesh of the sweet potatoes and generously season (blackening it) with Pilau Masala.  (There's no need to season the skin. We'll be focusing on seasoning the flesh to bring out the best flavor during baking.) Place the sweet potato halves on the baking sheet with a bit of space between each half to promote even cooking. Flip each half over, turning the skin side up. Make sure the cut side of each sweet potato half is in full contact with the baking pan. This allows the flesh to caramelize against the hot surface, creating a delicious crust.
  1. Place the baking sheet with the sweet potatoes in the preheated oven. Bake for about 40 to 50 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and can be easily pierced with a fork. The longer baking time at this lower temperature will result in softer and more caramelized sweet potatoes.
  2. Cool: Once the sweet potatoes are fully cooked, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly for a few minutes.
  3. Serve the baked sweet potatoes as a delightful side dish or a satisfying light meal. They complement a variety of main courses or can be enjoyed on their own.
  4. Storage: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through before serving.