Description
Citrus-Infused Sweet Potato Delight brings Mediterranean sunshine to your dinner table. Zesty orange and lemon notes dance with roasted sweet potatoes, creating a tangy side dish that elevates simple ingredients into a memorable culinary experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Additional Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- Flaky sea salt (for garnish, optional)
- Nonstick cooking spray (as needed)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating it to 350°F (177°C), ensuring a consistent temperature for optimal cooking.
- Carefully peel sweet potatoes and slice them into uniform ¼-inch (0.6 centimeters) rounds, maintaining consistent thickness for even cooking.
- Apply a light coating of nonstick cooking spray to an oven-safe dish, such as a cast iron skillet, preventing potential sticking.
- Create an artful arrangement by stacking potato slices into two concentric circles around the pan’s perimeter, strategically filling the center with remaining slices.
- In a medium saucepan, combine unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, freshly squeezed orange juice, pure maple syrup, orange zest, kosher salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, and fresh thyme leaves.
- Gently heat the sauce mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the ingredients meld and the mixture starts to bubble, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
- Carefully pour the aromatic sauce evenly over the meticulously arranged sweet potato rounds, ensuring complete coverage.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, allowing the potatoes to become tender.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, allowing the edges to caramelize and develop a rich, golden-brown color.
- If desired, extend baking time to achieve more pronounced browning and depth of flavor.
- Finish the dish by garnishing with fresh thyme sprigs and a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt for enhanced visual appeal and flavor complexity.
- Serve immediately while the sweet potatoes are warm and the sauce is still glossy and inviting.
Notes
- Maximize flavor by using freshly squeezed orange juice and grating orange zest for a vibrant citrus punch.
- Arrange sweet potato slices carefully to create an elegant, visually appealing circular pattern that ensures even cooking.
- Infuse the sauce with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to complement the natural sweetness of the potatoes.
- Adjust baking time based on potato thickness and desired level of caramelization and browning.
- Use a cast iron skillet for even heat distribution and a beautiful presentation directly from the oven.
- Enhance the final dish with a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves and flaky sea salt for added texture and depth of flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg