Fit for a King

The sweet potato truly is food royalty. No other food come close to packing so many nutritional benefits into such a tasty package. Sweet Potatoes are rich in beta carotene, an essential antioxidant. Plus, they deliver vitamin C and folate which can help reduce the risk of heart disease. On top of all those wonderful benefits, sweet potatoes are also low on the glycemic index and glycemic load charts. Sweet potatoes truly are the Duke of Dinner, the Prince of the Plate and the King of the Superfoods.

So what recipe can truly capture the sweet potato in all its grandeur? Why, Sweet Potato Crowns, of course. These scrumptious treats are so sinfully decadent that you may just forget that you are eating healthy!

This culinary delight is the perfect practice recipe to get you in the mood to begin planning your Thanksgiving meal. It is beautiful, decadent and actually very simple to make. It is the perfect side dish to complement your savory holiday offerings, but can also work equally well as a dessert. So go ahead and give these crowns a try, and be sure to  come back to Sweet Bytes Blog soon. The countdown to the busiest time of the year for our royal sweets is officially underway.

Sweet Potato Crowns

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ¹/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 large unpeeled sweet potatoes, cut into 1-1/2-inch slices with ends discarded
• ¹/4 cup light brown sugar
• ¹/4 cup chopped pecans
• ¹/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
    
2. In a large bowl, combine oil and salt; mix well. Add sweet potatoes and toss until evenly coated.
    
3. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and cook 25 to 30 minutes, or until fork-tender.
    
4. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, pecans, cinnamon, and butter until crumbly. Sprinkle on each potato round and return to oven; cook 8 to 10 minutes, or until sugar is melted. Serve immediately.