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
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
Saucy, soy-honey salmon—cut into cubes to speed up the cooking process—makes a savory topping for a quick weeknight bowl.
These decadent brownies feature a sweet, minty topping complemented by a rich dark chocolate ganache and mini chocolate chips for added texture.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
This summery sheet-pan dinner celebrates the bounty of the season and couldn't be simpler to make. Chorizo plays nicely with the salad, thanks to its spice.
Juicy peak-season tomatoes make the perfect plant-based swap for aguachile.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
Who says ground chicken is boring? Two whole bunches of mint and some aromatics give these chicken meatballs their bracingly herby flavor.