Gluten- Free Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Technically it’s spring out, but this weekend was cold and blustery. Winter is still in full effect in Manhattan. So before welcoming all of the delights of spring produce, I want to share an easy recipe for those last sweet potatoes you may have in your fridge.

I didn’t grow up in a sweet potato family – it was always regular mashed potatoes for us. Since moving to NY, I have enjoyed sweet and savory preparations. I recently made a birthday dinner featuring this pork tenderloin recipe, and wanted to highlight the flavors of the spice rub with a mashed sweet potato. I looked at The Barefoot Contessa’s recipe – but it seemed like too much work for an already labor intensive meal (lots of other dishes – the tenderloin is really quite easy).

So instead, I adapted a technique suggested by America’s Test Kitchen. The key to letting the sweet potatoes maintain their rich flavor is to braise rather than boil them. It was so easy – yet surprisingly the favorite dish of the night!

Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

3 pounds sweet potatoes (3-4 depending on size)
6 Tablespoons unsalted butter
3 Tablespoons heavy cream
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste

Peel the sweet potatoes, quarter and slice into pieces 1/3 of an inch thick, keeping the pieces as uniform in size as possible.

Combine the sweet potatoes, butter, and cream in a saucepan over low heat. Cover and stir occasionally. After 20 minutes add the sugar, nutmeg and a dash of salt and pepper. Keep cooking and stirring occasionally until the potatoes start to fall apart. Remove the pan from the heat, mash with a fork or a potato masher. Add additional salt and pepper to taste.

I used a trio of sweet potatoes to add more color and texture, but work with whatever you have available. These will be replacing regular mashed potatoes for me, though the question remains as to whether or not I will be able to convince my family.

If you are looking for a more savory preparation – try these baked Cilantro Sweet Potato Fries.

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