Description

A comforting and colourful sweet potato bake layered with creamy goat cheese and finished with a sweet-tart cranberry topping, toasted pecans, fresh thyme, and parsley. A beautiful festive side dish or vegetarian centerpiece for family dinners and holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

For the Sweet Potato Bake

2 1/2 lb (1.1 kg) sweet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp maple syrup

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

For the Creamy Goat Cheese Layer

5 oz (140 g) soft goat cheese

1/2 cup (120 g) Greek yogurt

1/4 cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese

1 garlic clove, minced

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

For the Cranberry Topping

1/2 cup (80 g) dried cranberries

1/3 cup (80 g) cranberry sauce

2 tbsp maple syrup

1 tbsp fresh orange juice

1 tsp balsamic vinegar

For the Topping

1/3 cup (40 g) pecans, roughly chopped

2 tbsp crumbled goat cheese

1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

1 tbsp pomegranate seeds, optional

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch (23 × 33 cm) baking dish with olive oil.

2. Peel the sweet potatoes and slice them thinly and evenly. Add them to a large bowl and toss with olive oil, maple syrup, garlic powder, dried thyme, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.

3. In a medium bowl, combine the goat cheese, Greek yogurt, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, lemon juice, fresh thyme, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.

4. Add the cranberry sauce, maple syrup, orange juice, and balsamic vinegar to a small saucepan. Warm over low heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring until smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in the dried cranberries.

5. Arrange about one-third of the sweet potato slices in the prepared baking dish, slightly overlapping them to create an even layer.

6. Spread about one-third of the creamy goat cheese mixture evenly over the sweet potatoes.

7. Repeat the sweet potato and goat cheese layers twice more, finishing with a layer of sweet potato slices on top.

8. Spoon the cranberry mixture evenly over the top layer of sweet potatoes. Spread it gently so the cranberry topping reaches across the surface.

9. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are beginning to become tender.

10. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 20–25 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are completely tender and the edges are caramelized.

11. While the bake finishes, place the chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium-low heat. Toast for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.

12. Remove the sweet potato bake from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. Sprinkle the toasted pecans, crumbled goat cheese, fresh parsley, and thyme over the top.

13. Add a few pomegranate seeds for a bright finishing touch. Serve warm as a festive side dish or vegetarian centerpiece.

Notes

Slice the sweet potatoes evenly so they cook consistently and create neat layers. Avoid making the sweet potato slices too thick, as thin slices become tender more easily during baking. Allow the goat cheese to soften slightly before mixing so the creamy layer is easier to spread. Keep the dish covered during the first baking stage to help the sweet potatoes soften. Toast the pecans in a dry skillet for a few minutes to bring out their flavour and crunch. Let the finished bake rest for about 10 minutes before serving so the layers can settle. The bake can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated while covered until ready to bake. Soft feta, ricotta, or cream cheese can be used instead of goat cheese, although the flavour and texture will vary. Toasted walnuts can be substituted for the pecans. Pomegranate seeds are optional and mainly add colour and a fresh finishing touch. Serve alongside roasted chicken, turkey, pork, roasted vegetables, a crisp green salad, or a simple grain dish.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American