From sides to stews: a sweet potato recipe round-up

Sweet potatoes are front and centre in the Simple Bites winter kitchen, but not just as a side dish.

In addition to the recipes included in today’s round-up, I find ways to incorporate them into all sorts of meals from breakfast to dinner. I try to roast off a few spuds here and there when I have the oven on for holiday baking projects, then stash them in the fridge for convenience.

In the past I’ve smashed the roasted sweet potatoes and stirred them into a fragrant brown rice pudding. I’ve scooped a few spoonfuls into my smoothies, and together with almond milk, dates, cinnamon and ice, it makes for one delicious shake. I’ve puréed them and added them to chia pudding and even my morning muesli. Once sweet potatoes have been roasted and puréed, you can use them like pumpkin in a wide variety of cooking and baking.

Today’s recipes stay on the savoury side of things. From a delicate buttermilk biscuit to a wintery vegan stew, there’s a sweet potato recipe here for everyone.

A sweet potato recipe round-up

Tender Sweet Potato Red Lentil Biscuits ~

These biscuits bring a little added nourishment to the table with the addition of both roasted sweet potato and tender red split lentils. The sweet potato brings a mild sweet flavour and the lentils add texture to a beloved comfort food. These bisuits have made appearances on our family table morning, noon and night. On weekend mornings they’ll accompany scrambled eggs and sliced avocado for a breakfast that feels like a dish off of a trendy café menu. For lunch I’ll split the biscuits, smear them with Dijon and add a slice of ham for a quick bite. And for a comforting dinner, I’ve paired them with dishes such as our chocolate chip chili, vegetarian black bean chili and split pea soup.

Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Pancakes ~

Swap out pumpkin purée for mashed sweet potatoes in this reliable recipe for gluten-free pancakes. While we don’t have any issues with gluten in our home, there are often periods of time in my life when I am just eating less wheat and more vegetables. These pancakes make a great start to the day; don’t forget the homemade syrup.

Maple-Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Walnut-Bacon Crumble ~

By far the fanciest sounding recipe on this list, but really these glazed sweet potatoes are a very simple dish. It’s a delightful combination of flavours and textures in a dish that feels ever so decadent, thanks to the bacon and maple syrup. These roasted sweet potatoes present beautifully as a side dish, so definitely keep them in mind for your upcoming holiday brunch (paired with a platter of eggs) or dinner (paired with my slow cooker cider ham).

Roasted, Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Browned Butter ~

The year I developed this simple side dish, I must have served it at Sunday dinner at least once a month – and it out shone the main dish every time. Never under estimate the delicious flavour twist that browned butter brings to a dish. Another reason I love these whipped sweet potatoes is that they can be prepared one hundred percent in advance and then reheated (microwave, stove top or oven) just before serving. So if you are looking for a side dish to bring to Christmas dinner at the in-laws’, this is the one.

Coconut-Pecan Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes ~

If you’ve got the oven full to capacity with holiday baking, then you can break out the slow cooker for this easy recipe. They are cooked, seasoned and smashed in the slow cooker, then served up with toasted nuts on top. If you’re into marshmallows with your sweet potatoes, scoop them into an oven-to-table serving dish, top with marshmallows and broil them for a minute or two just before serving.

Maple-Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Parsnips ~

Presentation is paramount in this pretty side dish, which uses a few sweet potatoes and parsnips, roasted alongside a few winter leeks and a mix of maple and Dijon. Maple and sweet potatoes were meant to go together; it’s sweet, but not too sweet. It feels like comfort food even without loads of butter, cream or cheese, which just happens to make it an appropriate dish for winter.

Grilled Green Onion & Sweet Potato Salad with Warm Chèvre ~

Now I understand this is a summer grilling salad, but I love it so very much, I occasionally bust out the cast iron grill pan and char a few green onions for the dish. In my opinion, this warm salad is too good to reserve only for the summer months. Serve it with roast leg of lamb for a glorious Sunday dinner.

Sweet Potato and Kale Salad with Black Beans ~

This is one of two make-ahead salads for winter that makes for a high protein desk lunch. It’s not very glamorous, but it will keep for several days in the refrigerator, so make a double batch to stay on track for healthy eating over the holidays.

Sheet Pan Turkey Dinner ~

This turkey dinner hack dishes up all of our favourite flavours in one simple sheet pan. I developed the recipe when I had one child in the hospital and was desperately craving comfort food. It remains one of my favourite suppers for the holiday season, along with my Slow Cooker Christmas Chicken in Milk with Orange Cinnamon and Savoury.

Caramelized Onion and Root Vegetable Pot Pies ~

When it comes to holiday entertaining, most celebration menus lend themselves to focusing on the meaty main dish, but if you are hosting friends who are vegetarian, this pot pie needs to be on the menu. It’s pretty enough to be take centre stage on your table, and hearty enough that no one goes home hungry. It’s packed with vegetables, including our star ingredient today – sweet potatoes.

Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili (vegan) ~

Now you’re going to want to bookmark this one for January, in case you blow the food budget in December. I developed this recipe during one of my my ‘eating down the pantry’ phases – when we eat off of the pantry stores in the new year. The chili is affordable, delicious and good for you, all while hitting comfort food notes.

Lentil Shepherd’s Pie with Sweet Potato Mash ~

This vegetarian take on a classic comfort food is both a frugal option as well as a great do-ahead dish. You can make a double batch and freeze one for when you need a quick dinner. I don’t need to mention that it is one of the more nourishing meatless dishes you can make – lentils are packed with protein and fibre.

So, we’re heading into a big month of cooking, baking and entertaining. I wish you every joy in the kitchen, whether you are there because you want to be or you have to be. As always, feel free to ask me any questions you have on my recipes or your menu plan. Leave them in the comments section of a post or track me down on social media. Happy Holidays!