Description
This dish features tender roasted sweet potatoes coated in a sweet and warmly spiced maple syrup glaze, topped with toasted walnuts and creamy goat cheese, creating a perfect balance of sweet, nutty, and tangy flavors. It’s a delightful side dish that combines rustic comfort with a gourmet touch, ideal for cozy dinners or festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2 cm cubes
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 60 ml pure maple syrup (or honey as an alternative)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Topping
- 100 g walnuts, roughly chopped
- 110 g goat cheese, crumbled
- Fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for roasting the sweet potatoes evenly.
- Prepare the sweet potatoes: In a large bowl, mix the cubed sweet potatoes with olive oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Toss everything thoroughly to coat each piece uniformly with the flavorful glaze.
- Arrange for roasting: Spread the coated sweet potatoes out in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow even roasting.
- Initial roasting: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast the sweet potatoes for 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through to promote even cooking and browning.
- Add walnuts and continue roasting: After 20 minutes, sprinkle the chopped walnuts over the sweet potatoes, then return the baking sheet to the oven and roast for another 10 minutes until the sweet potatoes are tender and the walnuts are lightly toasted.
- Add goat cheese: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and immediately scatter crumbled goat cheese over the hot sweet potato and walnut mixture so it slightly melts.
- Garnish and serve: Transfer the warm dish onto a serving platter, garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Honey can be used as a natural substitute for maple syrup if preferred.
- For added texture, you can toast the walnuts beforehand, but roasting them with the potatoes works well too.
- This dish is best served warm to enjoy the melting goat cheese and toasted walnuts to their fullest.
- Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper according to personal taste.
