Sweet Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon
Category: Side Dishes
Serves: 3
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Sweet potatoes (or American yams) | 5 kg |
| Bacon | 150 g |
| Cheddar cheese | 150 g |
| Sage | 5 leaves |
| Thyme | 3 sprigs |
| Coarse salt | 50 g |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 30 g |
| Black pepper | to taste |
Instructions:
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Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Start by thoroughly washing the sweet potatoes. Using a sharp knife, make about 6-8 incisions on each potato, depending on their length. Be sure not to cut all the way through—just create shallow slits in the flesh. This technique will allow the flavors to infuse as the potatoes bake.
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Make the Herb Salt Mix: Finely chop the sage leaves and strip the thyme from its sprigs. Combine the chopped herbs with the coarse salt, ensuring it is well-mixed. Set this aromatic herb salt blend aside for later.
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Prepare the Potatoes for Baking: Gently rub each potato with olive oil, making sure to coat them evenly on all sides. Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, lightly grease it with more olive oil, and sprinkle some of the prepared herb salt on the parchment paper. Place the sweet potatoes on the baking sheet and season them with the remaining herb salt. Sprinkle a little black pepper on top to taste.
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Cook the Bacon: While the sweet potatoes begin their first phase of baking, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon strips and cook until they are golden brown and crispy. Once done, remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a tray lined with paper towels to drain excess fat.
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Bake the Potatoes: Place the baking sheet with the sweet potatoes into a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F). Let them bake for about 75 minutes, or until the potatoes have softened and opened up like an accordion, revealing their interior.
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Add the Cheddar: Once the sweet potatoes are baked and the slits have widened, fill each of the openings with cheddar cheese slices, ensuring they are evenly distributed. Add any remaining cheese cubes over the top of the potatoes for extra richness and flavor.
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Final Touch: Return the sweet potatoes to the oven for an additional 10 minutes to melt the cheese, allowing it to become bubbly and slightly golden.
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Serve: Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, remove the sweet potatoes from the oven. Top with the crispy bacon, broken into pieces, and serve immediately. Enjoy this delicious and flavorful side dish, perfect for complementing any main course!
This indulgent side dish brings the earthy sweetness of the potatoes together with the richness of cheddar and the savory crunch of bacon. It’s a sure crowd-pleaser at any dinner table, offering a great balance of textures and flavors.
