The Food Blogga Getting Guys To Eat Vegetables Algorithm:
1. Don't tell them they're vegetables.
2. If #1 fails, then bread it and fry it.
3. If #2 fails, then add bacon.
4. If #3 fails, then add bacon and beer.
5. If #4 fails, then, well, #4 never fails, so don't worry about it.
I created this recipe for Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Maple Smoked Bacon and Beer in honor of San Diego Beer Week and used one of my favorite local San Diego beers called Arrogant Bastard Ale. (Is that the best beer name ever?) This dish rocks. It's sweet, salty, smoky, and tangy. It's great with beer buddies like pork and beef and goes really well with chicken sandwiches and salmon burgers.
So give it a try, and let me know how things work out for 'ya.
For more about San Diego Beer Week and cooking with beer, check out my last post, which includes a recipe for Dill and Beer Quick Bread, and my SDNN piece "Eight Great Events Brewing at San Diego Beer Week."
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Maple Smoked Bacon and Beer
Serves 4 or 2 hungry guys
Print recipe only here.
2 large orange-fleshed sweet potatoes or Garnet yams
olive oil to brush on the flesh
6 strips maple smoked bacon
1 tablespoon butter
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons light brown sugar
2/3 cup beer, preferably dark ale
2 tablespoons maple syrup
freshly ground black pepper
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil, for easy clean up. Wash potatoes and pat dry. Brush flesh with a little bit of olive oil. Place flesh side down on the prepared baking sheet. Cook for 40-50 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add bacon. Cook, turning frequently, until browned and crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper-toweled lined plate to drain. Cool completely. Chop finely, reserving one slice for garnish.
3. Once the potatoes are cooked, remove from oven and cool for 5-10 minutes. Scoop out the flesh and set aside.
4. In a large skillet over medium-low heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add sliced onions and brown sugar; stir occasionally, until the onions caramelize and turn a deep golden brown, about 10-12 minutes. Add beer and cook 2 minutes. Add maple syrup. Stir well and cook 3-4 minutes. Add roasted potatoes and bacon to skillet. Stir well. Season with freshly ground black pepper. Garnish with reserved bacon.
Here are more guy-friendly vegetable recipes from Food Blogga:
Roasted Asparagus with Breadcrumbs and Parmesan
Mediterranean Jacket Potatoes
Caramelized Plantains with Honey and Lime
Roasted Root Vegetables with Maple Sage Glaze
String Beans with Prosciutto, Pine Nuts, and Meyer Lemon
Here are more tasty sweet potato recipes:
Smoked Chile Scalloped Sweet Potatoes recipe at One For The Table
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Lime Syrup and Chives recipe at Rookie Cookie
Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Red Onion recipe at The Passionate Cook
Sweet Potato Pancakes at Serious Eats
