Recipe: Sweet Potato Gratin with Caramelized Onions (2024)

FAQs

Can I store sweet potatoes and onions together? ›

What you don't want is to have your potatoes and onions in close proximity, as gases from the onions can hasten sprouting in potatoes. Kept in the dark: Davison says your potatoes should be stored inside a paper bag in a cool, dark, dry place. And as mentioned above, away from onions and their sprout-encouraging gases.

1) Always poke a few holes.

Before baking, use a fork to prick each sweet potato several times. You don't need to jab the fork in deep. We're creating steam vents. Otherwise the pressure in the sweet potato could build up so high in the oven that it explodes—an unlikely possibility but one best avoided!

Boiled sweet potatoes have a tendency to absorb water, which, in turn can make the casserole a little soupy. This recipe, however, calls for baking the sweet potatoes! You'll also find that this recipe doesn't add too much liquid to the mix.

But, here's the catch: Storing potatoes and onions together will drastically shorten their shelf life. The reason? Onions produce ethylene gas, a gas that causes potatoes to spoil prematurely. Conversely, potatoes' high moisture content can cause onions to turn brown and mushy.

1. Metal Potato Bin - This kitchen storage tin is made of high quality powder-coated sheet steel, the potato storage container is durable and heavy, so your vegetables will be well protected.

Browning butter packs in tons of flavor, without dulling the sweet potatoes. Slow-roasting the sweet potatoes activates endogenous enzymes that bring out their natural sweetness. A touch of maple syrup, butter, and a bit of chopped thyme are the only embellishments these naturally sweet sweet potatoes need.

For a topping, stick to butter, Greek yogurt, or sour cream, or try adding a dollop of cilantro lime dressing, tzatziki, chipotle sauce, pesto, guacamole, or a drizzle of tahini sauce. If you have leftover baked sweet potatoes, save the soft flesh for another recipe.

The longer and slower you cook a sweet potato, the more maltose is formed and the sweeter it will taste.

Wrapping sweet potatoes in foil helps in a few ways. It prevents the exterior of the tuber from drying out and overheating too quickly, which would minimize enzymatic activity; it also results in a more evenly cooked texture.

Yams and sweet potatoes differ in flavor and appearance, and they are not related. Sweet potatoes are in the morning glory family, while yams belong to the lily family. Yams aren't as sweet as sweet potatoes, and they are starchier and drier. Their texture and flavor are more similar to potatoes or yuca.

What meat goes with sweet potatoes? ›

Despite what your grandmother says, this cloying side dish didn't originate as a family recipe. It was concocted by Big Marshmallow as a way to push the candy on Americans. Though the tubers are high in sugar to begin with, there's historical precedent for treating sweet potatoes like dessert.

The ooze is actually referred to as "sap." It is made up of sugar and starch combined with the moisture found in the vegetable, and it escapes out of the damage made from the knife. The sap really equals the sweetness. If it's pouring out of your potato, that means it's a sweet and delicious vegetable.

Sprinkle the topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture, then pop it into the oven and let it bake for 40 to 45 minutes. You will know it's done when the topping is lightly browned and the center of your casserole is set and firm.

Sweet potatoes prefer slightly different conditions that white potatoes. Around 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit with some humidity is best. They'll still require a dark place away from other fruits and vegetables, except maybe an apple.

It's not just potatoes you need to worry about. Other produce that releases ethylene gas, such as apples, citrus, and bananas, will accelerate an onion's degradation, as will moisture-rich fruits such as melons and cucumbers, says Alibrandi. An onion's absorbent nature also means it easily picks up smells.

Store in a Cool, Dry Place

For this reason, he says it's best to store onions in a cool, dry place like a cellar, pantry, or even a garage. While they can be stored whole in the fridge, Yee notes that this causes the onion to convert starch to sugar, and can result in soft or soggy onions.

Choose A Dark Place

A spot closer to the floor will be cooler. Sweet potatoes prefer a temperature between 50 and 60 degrees. 3 This is the best temperature at which to store them for longer lengths of time. With proper storage, they should last a month.