Sweet Potatoes with Bourbon and Maple

By DreiFromBK

Recipes & Menus | recipes

Sweet Potatoes with Bourbon and Maple
The complex, bittersweet syrup for these roasted sweet potatoes is inspired by Southern redeye gravy.

8-10 servings

Recipe by Victoria Granof

Photograph by Jeremy Liebman

November 2012

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups strong hot coffee
• 9 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 3 tablespoons (packed) dark brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder
• 1/3 cup bourbon
• 9 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 5 pounds red-skinned sweet potatoes (about 8 medium), peeled, cut into 2 1/2-inch–3-inch pieces
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped smoked almonds (or toasted almonds)

Details

Servings 8
Adapted from bonappetit.com

Preparation

Step 1

Stir coffee, maple syrup, sugar, and espresso powder in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Bring mixture to a boil; cook until thickened and reduced by half, 6-7 minutes.

Remove syrup from heat; add bourbon and 2 tablespoons butter. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until sauce is reduced to about 3/4 cup, 40-45 minutes (mixture should be thick enough to coat a spoon, but not sticky, and will thicken as it cools). Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD Sauce can be made 2 days ahead. Cover; chill. Rewarm before serving.

Arrange racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 425°. Melt remaining 7 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan; pour into a large bowl. Add sweet potatoes and oil and season with salt and pepper. Divide potato mixture between 2 large rimmed baking sheets and roast, turning potatoes often and rotating sheets halfway through, until potatoes are tender and start to turn golden brown and crisp around the edges, 30-35 minutes. DO AHEAD Potatoes can be roasted 4 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Rewarm before continuing.

Transfer potatoes to a serving platter. Drizzle some warm sauce over and sprinkle with almonds; serve remaining sauce along-side for those who want more.