Journaling for Saturday - 10-25-25
Here is my first entry for Anna "Banana" Kruchten Weekend Recipes. Because I learned this past Tuesday that US Sweet Potatoes are grown in Debe Maxwell, CRS state, North Carolina, I just had to contribute to stimulating her state's economy.
First Challenge:
People in Texas do things differently. You'll notice on the photo I took at Central Market two things: 1) Potatoes/Yams Sweet Golden; 2) Product of USA. But I have to tell you, yams and sweet potatoes are not the same! Both are different vegetables from two different plant families with distinct characteristics. Sweet Potatoes grow in North Carolina in the United States of America. Yams grow in Africa - they are starchy! Have rough skins! Dark skins! Typically, white flesh. True Sweet Potatoes are native to America! They are orange inside and often associated with Thanksgiving. However, in Texas, they are available every day.
Second Challenge:
I'm assuming my Microwave got struck by lightening. During the past two nights there were severe lightning strikes, heavy rain, and thunder each night. My circuit breakers did not trip. But I wasn't going to let a nonfunctioning appliance stop me from making my sweet potatoes.
Cooking From Memory
I baked my sweet potato in the oven. First, I did a good rubbie, tubbie, rub with a vegetable brush to make sure the potato was clean. Then, I used a sharp knife to make slashes in the sweet potato (top and bottom), being careful not to cut my fingers. Then, I wrapped it in foil paper and baked it at 370 degrees. I lost track of time because I did not use the timer. I just checked twice to make sure the sweet potato was soft enough.
Third Challenge
What to put on the sweet potato before it gets eaten. I grew up and learned to prepare sweet potatoes for my family the same way my mother did - with butter, no seasonings. One day in Texas, I dared to be different and did not have butter - so I poured Pumpkin Spice Maple Syrup from Vermont and LOVED it! I liked it so well, that when local grocery stores started offering Sweet Potato French Fries, I asked for Maple Syrup and other times, a side of ranch dressing. Both were delicious. So, my challenge today was how do I make this AR post even more interesting?
I decided to put three toppings on my sweet potato. I started with Fresh and Creamy Farmer's Market Plain Cream Cheese. In the middle I put Central Markets Whipped Butter. On the other end, I poured in my Vermont Pumpkin Spice Maple Syrup. I liked them all in this order: 1) Creamy Farmer's Market Plain Cream Cheese; 2) Vermont Pumpkin, and 3) Fresh Whipped Butter.
And there you have it - simple and easy. No whining about the Microwave. After all, cooks can make anything they want!
Comments(11)