By Chef Shay at Little One’s Learning Center
Little Ones Learning Center is a model of Farm to ECE in Georgia. The school garden is a place of learning and exploration, where students gain the life skill of growing food and showing love and appreciation to Mother Earth. School meals and taste tests expose students to a variety of local fresh food to expand their palates, develop cultural awareness for where food comes from, and support brain development. This simply delicious sweet potato recipe is Little One's Learning Center Chef Shay's favorite holiday recipe, and it is sure to be one of yours.
Photo courtesy of Little One’s Learning Center.
Best Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
4 lbs. sweet potatoes (about 5 large or 4 extra large)*, such as red garnet, beauregard or jewel (not white or purple varieties)
8 Tbsp salted butter, diced into 1 Tbsp pieces, plus more for serving if desired
1 Tbsp real maple syrup, then more to taste for a sweeter option
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
How to Make Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Making mashed sweet potatoes is really easy! I make Baked Sweet Potatoes and scoop them out to make mashed potatoes. A quicker method is to boil the sweet potatoes but I prefer the consistency of baked if possible.
Once cooked (either boiled or baked) and very well drained, the sweet potatoes can be mashed.
Start by adding the butter and mixing it in using a hand masher.
Heat the cream/milk and add a bit at a time while mashing. You can use an electric mixer for a creamier texture or mash by hand.
Once mashed, season with salt and pepper and serve (with more butter (LOTS MORE!).
Sweet Potatoes, take a short amount of time to boil, 15-20 minutes or until tender when poked with a fork.
How to Mash Sweet Potatoes
You can mash sweet potatoes using a hand masher, this gives more of a rustic consistency.
For a smoother consistency, you can use a hand mixer or an immersion blender.
Enjoy!
Photo courtesy of Cosmos Farm.