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Saturday 4 February 2012

Sweet, sweet potatoes

These are not only super nutritious, they are simple to prepare, and are a wonderful way to get the kidlets to eat them by adding a couple of marshmallows on top!!  These beautiful bursts of orange goodness are one of my favorite things to eat in the cold winter months.

Here are some facts on these gems......



Nutritious sweet potatoes are low in calories (provide just 90 cal/100 g, on comparison with starch rich cereals) and contains no saturated fats and cholesterol; but are rich source of dietary fiber, anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals.

They are storehouse of starch, a complex carbohydrate, which raises the blood sugar levels slowly on comparison to simple sugars; therefore, recommended as a healthy food supplement even in diabetes.

They are excellent source of flavonoids like beta-carotene and vitamin A (provides 14187 IU of vitamin A and 8509 mcg of β-carotene). The value is one of the highest among root vegetables category. These compounds are powerful natural antioxidants. Vitamin A is also required by the body to maintain integrity of healthy mucus membranes and skin. It is also vital nutrient for vision. Consumption of natural vegetables and fruits rich in flavonoids helps to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

The tubers are packed with many essential vitamins such as pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) and thiamin (vitamin B-1), niacin, and riboflavin. These vitamins are essential in the sense that body requires them from external sources to replenish. These vitamins function as co-factors for various enzymes during metabolism.

They also contain good amounts of minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and potassium that are very essential for body metabolism.










Here is how  made these individual sweet potato

2 large sweet potatoes, cut crosswise into 2'' round discs
butter
brown sugar
pecans
mini marshmallows, for the adventurous

In a preheated 350' oven, place sweet potato rounds onto an ungreased pan.  Roast for 15 min then turn them over.  Continue to roast another 25 min, and check them to see if they are ready.  They should be totally soft in the center when pressed with a spoon.  Using a melon baller, or spoon, scoop out a thin layer on top of each round, save all of the scoopings in a ramekin, and bake with the others, or save for another use.  Top each potato with a pat of butter, a nice sprinkling of brown sugar, pecans, and marshmallows if using.  return to oven for 5-10 more minutes until all is gooey, and dripping and delicious!

DIG IN!!!!