Sweet Potato Boats [Recipe]

Sweet Potato Boats

Full of flavour!!

I’ve been inspired by the cooler weather and the warm colours and flavours of winter.

Last week we were outside at the fire pit eating these delicious, flavoursome Thai Sweet Potato Boats after I had a burst of creativity in the kitchen, trying out some different earthy spices with my love of sweet potatoes!

These “boats” are surprisingly filling and we were done after eating two. They are so YUM!

The Benefits of Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes provide a rich concentration of nutrients, which make them an ideal addition to your meals throughout the year.

The cultivation of sweet potatoes dates back to 750 BC, making it one of the oldest foods known to man.

Orange-coloured sweet potatoes owe their appearance to the carotenoid, beta-carotene. As an antioxidant, beta-carotene can help ward off free radicals that damage cells through oxidation, which can speed up ageing and make you vulnerable against chronic diseases. This antioxidant can help support your immune system, as well as lower your risk of heart disease and cancer.

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Beta-carotene can be converted into retinol or vitamin A by your body, and vitamin A contributes to optimal eye health and vision. While taking vitamin A in large doses can be toxic, receiving it from beta-carotene is considered safe due to your body’s ability to regulate its vitamin A production.

A substantial amount of research has proven that these naturally-sweet root vegetables possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and disease-fighting components. [Source: Dr Mercola]

I love using sweet potatoes for both sweet (think brownies or Turkish inspired with sultanas) and savoury dishes. I especially love making home made fries with garlic olive oil and fresh rosemary from the garden!

These are a new favourite with some absolutely delicious flavours that you can play around with according to your tastes.

Enjoy!

V xo

 

Sweet Potato Boats

Serves: 4 (with a side of salad) – these are filling!

Prep time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 40 minutes

Thai Sweet Potato Boats

Ingredients

  • 4 medium to large sweet potatoes, washed and brushed clean
  • 3-4 strips of middle bacon
  • 1 tablespoon garlic extra virgin olive oil (if you only have plain, add 2 cloves crushed garlic to the topping mix)

Topping mix:

  • 1 medium chili, chopped
  • 1/2 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 handful of parsley, chopped
  • 1 bunch of kale stems, chopped
  • Very good pinch of Celtic sea salt
  • 1/2 lime, juice of
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin powder
  • 4 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons slivered almonds

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Method

  1. Preheat (fan-forced) oven to 190 degrees Celsius. Prep the sweet potatoes and dry. Slice long ways into two even halves. Place with cut side up onto a baking tray lined with baking paper. Drizzle the garlic oil over the top of each sweet potato boat and finish with a sprinkle of salt. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes while you prepare the topping.
  2. Chop the chili, onion, parsley and kale stems and place into a small bowl (if using plain olive oil also add 2 cloves of crushed garlic). Add the salt, lime juice, cumin powder and olive oil. Mix together well then sit aside to marinate and prepare the bacon slices to cover the top of each sweet potato boat. It helps to have these ready while the sweet potato is cooking to return them to the oven quickly.
  3. When the sweet potato is ready, remove the tray from the oven and place onto a heat proof surface while you layer bacon over each “boat”. Follow with a scoop of topping, carefully covering the whole surface. Sprinkle grated parmesan over the toppings and finish with a scattering of slivered almonds.
  4. Return to the oven and bake a further 10 minutes until the bacon and topping is cooked through. Serve alone or with side salad.

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Enjoy!

Viki xo

 

About Viki

Viki Thondley, The MindBodyFood Coach

Viki Thondley is a Mind-Body Wellness Specialist and qualified Holistic Counsellor, Food, Stress & Lifestyle Coach, Meditation Therapist, and Eating Disorder Recovery Coach who inspires women to shift from dieting and restriction to whole-self nourishment, self-care and whole food healing. Recovered from bulimia nervosa and the many years of hormonal imbalances, food prison and self-sabotaging behaviours’, Viki is an inspiring coach, speaker and event host who also provides personalised holistic programs, workshops and retreats to instil self-love, happiness, body confidence and real food freedom. She is author of “Achieving Your Wellness: Create a Life You Love” and “Healthy Chocolate Delights: Real Food Sweet Treats”.

Sign up to her Happy | Healthy | Confident newsletter for her free 43 page eBook “Break Up with Dieting: 10 Tips to Calm Your Mind, Relax Your Body & Eat With Pleasure” + weekly whole-self nourishment tips, inspiration and recipes!