10 Best Potato and Sweet Potato Recipes
Potato Recipes: the Perfect Fall Comfort Foods
Nothing says comfort to me more than potato dishes. In this week after the whirlwind of my son’s wedding, I’m savoring every kind of potato recipe, from this creamy sweet potato soup to double-fried French fries and horseradish-Dijon mashed potatoes with caramelized onions with fresh thyme. For that matter, why not whip up a creamy sweet potato pie?
Harvest Time for Taters
Coincidentally, I’m craving potatoes just about the time they are ready to harvest. One cool thing about these tubers is you’ll always know when they are ready to harvest by watching the vine. When it dies, the potatoes will stop growing, but you’ll need to leave them in the ground for about 2 more weeks to develop the skin for good storage.
Potatoes and sweet potatoes can last several months if cured and stored properly. Here are some tips on keeping potatoes fresh as long as possible.
Additionally, the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes improves with proper curing. To cure sweet potatoes, store them at around 85 degrees for 10 days. I’ve found that my back porch in Alabama makes a great curing location during harvest season. After the curing process, move the sweet potatoes to a storage place such as a basement or root cellar kept between 55 and 60 degrees.
Recipes to Bring Out the Best in Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes
Well, back to the issue at hand – flavorful potatoes. I’ve been enjoying these oven-baked potato wedges fresh off the sheet pan almost daily for the past few weeks. It’s a simple recipe with cornstarch and olive oil that yields irresistible, crispy-tender wedges. They are delicious with just salt, black pepper, and parmesan, but they are also a great conduit for sauces such as creamy comeback sauce and blue cheese dressing.
The humble sweet potato lends deeper flavors and a finer texture to oven fries. These baked sweet potato fries include cumin, cayenne pepper, and/or chili powder for a bit of spice. They pair so perfectly with chipotle dipping sauce that I’ve included the sauce with the recipe.
For a simple side dish, garlic mashed potatoes and twice baked potato casserole are both comforting complements to protein main dishes like stews, roasts, and ground beef.
Along with my best potato sides and a soup, I’ve included a bonus southern-style sweet potato dessert. Ingredients like brown sugar and maple syrup turn this sweet-savory vegetable into a delectable treat, one that is rich in vitamins and fiber. (Sweet potatoes are also a great source of potassium!) Holiday guests will love it.
I hope you’ll give a few of these recipes a try this week! I feel sure you’ll be glad you did.
10 Best Potato and Sweet Potato Recipes
