Description
Creamy citrus-infused sweet potato delight brings Mediterranean warmth to dinner tables worldwide. Rich flavors blend seamlessly, inviting palates to explore complex culinary notes while delighting senses with each carefully crafted bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 cup (240 ml) brown sugar
- ½ cup (113 g) butter
- ½ cup (120 ml) freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) maple syrup
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp fresh thyme leaves
- Flaky sea salt (optional garnish)
- Nonstick cooking spray (as needed)
Instructions
- Preheat Preparation: Set oven to 350°F (177°C) for consistent heat distribution and optimal cooking conditions.
- Potato Processing: Meticulously peel and slice sweet potatoes into uniform ¼-inch rounds, ensuring even cooking and aesthetic presentation.
- Dish Preparation: Lightly coat an oven-safe skillet with nonstick spray, creating a non-adherent surface for the potato layers.
- Layering Technique: Artfully arrange potato slices in two concentric circles, strategically filling the pan’s center with remaining rounds for an elegant composition.
- Sauce Crafting: Combine butter, brown sugar, orange juice, maple syrup, orange zest, kosher salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and thyme in a saucepan, blending flavors through gentle heating until the mixture bubbles and melds.
- Sauce Application: Delicately pour the aromatic sauce over potato layers, ensuring complete and even coverage to infuse maximum flavor.
- Initial Baking Phase: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes, allowing potatoes to become tender and absorb the rich, citrusy sauce.
- Caramelization Stage: Remove foil and continue baking for 15 additional minutes, developing golden-brown edges and intensifying flavor profile.
- Finishing Touches: Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs and a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt to elevate visual appeal and taste complexity.
- Serving Recommendation: Present immediately while sweet potatoes remain warm and sauce maintains its glossy, inviting appearance.
Notes
- Slice Precisely: Cut sweet potatoes uniformly at ¼-inch thickness to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Sauce Mastery: Stir sauce ingredients gently over medium heat until they bubble, which helps develop rich, deep flavors and ensures proper ingredient integration.
- Caramelization Technique: Remove foil during final 15 minutes of baking to allow sweet potato edges to caramelize, creating delightful golden-brown crispy borders.
- Serving Suggestion: Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs and flaky sea salt immediately before serving to elevate presentation and add complex flavor layers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg