Charred Sweet Potatoes With Toum Recipes

CHARRED SWEET POTATOES WITH TOUM

Steps:

• Chill oil in freezer 30 minutes (this helps the sauce emulsify). Pulse garlic in a blender with lemon juice, 1/4 cup cold oil, and 1 Tbsp. ice water until smooth. With motor running, very gradually and steadily stream in 1/2 cup oil (you don't want to risk having the emulsion split). Scrape down sides and continue to blend, slowly adding remaining 1/4 cup oil, until a slightly thick sauce forms (it should cling to a spoon). Add 1 more Tbsp. ice water, season with kosher salt, and pulse again to combine. This whole process will occupy 8-10 minutes. Take your time! Transfer toum to a medium bowl.
• Place a rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 400°F. Place sweet potatoes in a large heavy skillet, preferably cast iron. The pan should be large enough so that sweet potatoes cover only half of the pan. Pour in just enough water to barely coat bottom of pan. Cover tightly with foil and bake sweet potatoes until tender, 30-35 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool; reserve skillet. Slice sweet potatoes in half lengthwise.
• Return reserved skillet to rack and heat 20 minutes. Remove skillet from oven and swirl 2 Tbsp. butter around in pan to coat. Add sweet potatoes, cut side down, and roast until edges are browned underneath and crisp, 18-25 minutes.
• Spoon some toum on a plate or in shallow bowl and arrange sweet potatoes on top (save extra toum for another use). Stir remaining 2 Tbsp. butter and honey in skillet and place over medium heat to warm. Drizzle honey butter over sweet potatoes. Sprinkle with nigella seeds, if using, and sea salt.

CHARRED SWEET POTATOES WITH HOT HONEY BUTTER AND LIME

Steps:

• Place a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 425°F. Place sweet potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with ¼ cup oil, and season with kosher salt. Turn to coat. Arrange cut side down and roast until tender (the tip of a knife should slide easily into flesh) and cut sides are browned, 25-30 minutes. Let sweet potatoes cool.
• Meanwhile, smash together butter and honey in a small bowl with a fork until smooth. Add hot sauce a tablespoonful at a time, blending well after each addition. Season hot honey butter with kosher salt.
• Cook pumpkin seeds and remaining ¼ cup oil in a small skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until pumpkin seeds are golden brown, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in coriander; season with kosher salt.
• Arrange sweet potatoes on a platter and spread with hot honey butter. Sprinkle with sea salt and spoon pumpkin seed oil over. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over.
• Do Ahead: Hot honey butter can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before using.