Thread: quickest way to prepare yams/sweet potatoes?

I used to nuke 'em (individually), but I have found that baking is a better method in terms of texture and taste.

Bake a whole bag at a time, usually about 10-12 at a time, and then put 'em in a container or plastic zip lock bag and put 'em in the fridge. Now you have a couple days supply and they can be easily heated in the microwave for less than a minute or eaten cold.

nuke'em

Bake, grill or boil before hand, then reheat -

I cube them up, put them in a bowl with some water in the bottom and microwave them for about 7-8min. I then drain the water and mash the cubes with a fork, add cinnimon and Sweet n Lo, and enjoy.

Originally Posted by furion joe

I used to nuke 'em (individually), but I have found that baking is a better method in terms of texture and taste.

Bake a whole bag at a time, usually about 10-12 at a time, and then put 'em in a container or plastic zip lock bag and put 'em in the fridge. Now you have a couple days supply and they can be easily heated in the microwave for less than a minute or eaten cold.

exactly, and for a sweet craving cold they are kinda like pumpkin pie u could even add a little pumpkin pie spice.

as far as flavor nothing beats conventional baking.

I rinse mine off, pull off any lingering roots, and then stick it on a plate in the microwave for 4 minutes [give or take a couple depending on size of the spud]. I also poke holes in before putting it in; one time I had a perfectly good, humongous sweet potato explode on me.

I have never tried baking mine, so I can't comment on a taste difference, but if you are pressed for time, microwaving is probably your best bet.

baking tastes best to me but it's been too hot in the summer and takes too long...so i nuke 'em.

then i remove from the skin - dump 'em into a big bowl. add maple extract, cinnamon and a sprinkle of butter buds and whip 'em with a mixer like cake batter. i weigh out my portion sizes and pack in individual sandwich baggies so i can grab and reheat when its time to eat.

ahh thanks for all the responses guys

Originally Posted by Little Wing

exactly, and for a sweet craving cold they are kinda like pumpkin pie u could even add a little pumpkin pie spice.

That sounds really good, never tried that before! The last few times I have cooked yams, I have cut each one in four slices – long ways – put 'em on a baking sheet and then sprayed them with PAM cooking spray – and added some cinnamon.

They’re like French fries…adding pumpkin spice will be a nice addition!

Great idea!

My 'fall back' recipe idea's for sweet tato:

- Bake them in the oven like wedges: Just wash well (do not peel), cut into wedges and sprinkle with cinnamon and chilli powder then bake until soft on the inside and cruchy on the outside!!

- Bake in the oven for 'roast sweet potato: Just put into a dish with whole garlic cloves, some quartered onions, zucchini, eggplant, tomato etc... then cover with oragano, black pepper and a dash of lemon juice

- 'Jacket sweet Potato': Peirce with a fork and put them in the microwave on the 'jacket potato' function (or, cook both sides for about 5 minutes). Then, once cooked, cut into quaters and top with mushrooms, tomato, spinach, tuna, cottage cheese, black pepper and some avocado.

- 'Steam them': Fill a pot with boiling water and add some vegetable stock, garlic, and mixed herbs. Place the sweet potato in the steamer and steam!

- 'Sweet potato Mash': Microwave and then mash it well with some black pepper and any other flavours you wish.

- 'Sweet potato pancakes': Use them in pancake batters

- 'Sweet potato cakes': Cook and mash. Then, in a non-stick pan (no oil) caramalise some onions and garlic, add some spices (eg: an indian mix such as cumin, cardimon, garam masala and chili) then add this to the mashed sweet tato with some egg whites. Form into 'patties' and then press onto a baking tray and bake them in the oven until golden.

- 'Sweet potato pie': Blend with some pumpkin pie spice, some egg whites, some cinnamon, some stevia/splenda and some cottage cheese until well combined. Put into a tray and bake.

i've never done the "bake like wedges" method. sounds good. anyone recall about how long it takes for them to cook. i know it'll vary depending how big the wedges are - but are we talking 30 minutes or so?

Originally Posted by nikegurl

i've never done the "bake like wedges" method. sounds good. anyone recall about how long it takes for them to cook. i know it'll vary depending how big the wedges are - but are we talking 30 minutes or so?

30-45 minutes

I used to microwave them when I had to prepare them at work. I worked at a gym, but still got the strangest looks coming out of our little staff room with a 3-course meal.
When I microwave them, I put a wet paper towel around the outside so they don't dry out. Afterwards, I split the potato open and scoop out the goodies. I think microwaving took about 5 minutes?

I usually just boil them in water and a tiny bit of olive oil (optional). Then I add salt & pepper.