Skip to main content

Sage and Sweet Potato Mash

Sweet potatoes cooked in piloncillo (unrefined solid cane sugar, usually found in the shape of small truncated cones) are sold as candy at Mexican mercados. They are way too sweet for me, but there’s no denying the spud’s versatility. Here I highlight their savory flavor by mashing sweet potatoes with a little butter and sage in a great fall dish that works well with roasted turkey. Feel free to use skim milk instead of whole milk, if you must, but keep that stick of butter!

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

2 pounds sweet potatoes
1 cup whole milk, warmed to lukewarm
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 cup chopped fresh sage
4 garlic cloves, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the sweet potatoes and boil for 25 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork. Drain and let cool slightly.

    Step 2

    Peel the potatoes and transfer the flesh to a large bowl. Mash in the milk and 7 tablespoons of the butter. Set aside.

    Step 3

    Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter with the oil in a small heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the sage and garlic and cook for 4 minutes, or until fragrant. Stir this into the potato mixture. Season the mash to taste with salt and pepper. (The mash can be prepared 1 day ahead and refrigerated. Stir in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding more milk if necessary, until heated through.)

Fresh Mexico
Read More
Like miso-peanut hibachi chicken and spring orzotto.
Using two entire lemons—pith, skin, and all—cranks up the citrus flavor in this classic dessert.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Grilling fish atop a bed of lemon slices is the key to not sticking.
A punchy, spicy peanut vinaigrette transforms a simply grilled steak into a showstopping main.
Like “phenomenal” whole lemon bars and grilled salmon with dill chimichurri.
This sauce is slightly magical. The texture cloaks pasta much like a traditional meat sauce does, and the flavors are deep and rich, but it’s actually vegan!
The magic of this hibachi chicken recipe comes from a combination of miso and peanut butter and how it beautifully caramelizes when it hits the grill.