A Big Stash of Sweet Mash

The more recipes I come across, the more I realize that sweet potatoes can easily be incorporated into any of my meals -no matter how much cooking time I have. The sweet potato is a super versatile vegetable that can be fried, sauteed, boiled, microwaved or even eaten raw, but if time allows, my ideal sweet potato would be baked in the oven to achieve that sweet caramelized flavor I constantly crave. In order to experience that deep sweet potato flavor in several dishes, I suggest baking a big batch at the start of the week, mashing it up and saving it to give you a head start on recipes that call for mashed sweet potato. Here are a couple of ideas and recipes for your sweet potato stash!

1. For breakfast or a snack, spread mash on a slice of hearty toast, sprinkle with cinnamon and bake for 2 minutes to bring back that warm sweetness.


2. Make sweet potato patties for a vegetarian burger such as this one from the Cupcake Punk.


3. Add an extra level of flavor to your morning pancakes by mixing a cup of sweet potato mash into the batter.
4. Make dessert healthy with a cup of pureed sweet potato and banana sprinkled with chopped pecans!

5. Try Heidi Swanson's Baked Sweet Potato Falafel for a twist on the popular Middle Eastern street food.
6. Lose the tomato sauce and make a lasagna with sweet potato mash, ricotta, mozzarella and toasted pine nuts.

7. Replace white potatoes in your favorite shepherd's pie recipe for that sweet n' savory combination.

8. Eat it plain. Baked sweet potato mash is the perfect compliment to juicy pork tenderloin, roasted chicken or even a firm white fish.


9. Sweet potato black bean burritos: Spread the mash onto a flour tortilla, fill with black beans, avocado and a touch of goat cheese, wrap it up and you've got yourself a meal!


10. Just 1-1/2 cups of your mash will make you 30 delectable little gnocchi; my favorite use yet!