Prepare to revolutionize your dinner routine with a mouthwatering dish that's not just a meal, but a culinary experience! This baked sweet potato recipe is about to become your new obsession - combining the rich, caramelized sweetness of perfectly roasted sweet potatoes with a luxuriously creamy broccoli cashew sauce that will make your taste buds dance. Whether you're a health-conscious foodie or simply looking for a show-stopping vegetarian main course, this recipe promises to deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 60 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked
- 1/4 cup fresh chives
- 1/2 cup water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Wash sweet potatoes thoroughly under cool running water. Pat dry with paper towels. Using a fork, pierce each sweet potato 4-5 times to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Rub each sweet potato with a light drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place potatoes directly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake sweet potatoes for 40-45 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking. They are done when a fork can easily pierce the center and the skin is slightly crispy.
- While potatoes are baking, prepare the broccoli cashew chive sauce. Drain soaked cashews and place them in a high-speed blender.
- Steam broccoli florets for 3-4 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Reserve a few florets for garnish.
- Add steamed broccoli, water, chopped chives, salt, and pepper to the blender with cashews. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Once sweet potatoes are done, remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Split each potato lengthwise.
- Drizzle the broccoli cashew chive sauce generously over each baked sweet potato. Garnish with reserved broccoli florets and additional chopped chives.
- Serve immediately while sauce and potatoes are warm. Enjoy as a nutritious main dish or side.
Tips
- Soak cashews for at least 2 hours (or overnight) for the smoothest, creamiest sauce possible.
- Use a high-speed blender to achieve the silkiest sauce texture.
- Choose medium-sized sweet potatoes of similar size to ensure even cooking.
- Don't skip piercing the potatoes - this prevents potential steam buildup and ensures even baking.
- For extra flavor, try adding a clove of roasted garlic to the sauce or sprinkle some smoked paprika on the potatoes before baking.
- If you're short on time, you can microwave the sweet potatoes for 5-7 minutes before finishing in the oven to reduce overall cooking time.
- The sauce can be made ahead and gently reheated, making this recipe perfect for meal prep.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
