Cuban Style Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipes

CUBAN ROASTED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH ROASTED SWEET POTATOES RECIPE - (4.5/5)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 475°F. You will need an oven-proof skillet; I use my cast-iron skillet Pork: Mash garlic with 1/4 teaspoon salt to a paste. Add brown sugar, 1 tablespoon rum, zest, and 1/2 teaspoon each cumin and coriander; rub into pork. Vegetables: Combine 1 tablespoon oil, the rum and orange juice and toss with the salt, pepper and cumin. Toss with the sweet potatoes and onion. Set aside. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a 10-inch cast iron skillet (if you don't own one, use a heavy bottomed oven proof skillet) over medium high. Sear pork on one side until browned. Flip the pork and arrange the sweet potatoes and onion around it. Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook until an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the pork registers 145F-150°F and sweet potatoes are fork-tender, 12 to 15 minutes. If desired, garnish the vegetables with some fresh cilantro. Let pork rest, then slice and serve. Tasting notes: I drizzled a little extra olive oil to the sweet potatoes in the last five minutes of roasting time, as they looked a bit dry. I also tossed them, a bit, for more even roasting. I added a squeeze of fresh lime to the pork, which added a little extra "zip" and some more Cuban flavors.

CUBAN-STYLE ROAST PORK

Steps:

• Grind garlic, salt, black pepper, cumin, oregano, and coriander into a paste using a mortar and pestle.
• Transfer half of the garlic and spice paste to a bowl; add lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, and vinegar. Beat the mixture with a whisk until smooth.
• Cut several inch-long, deep slits into the fatty side of the pork roast. Rub the reserved garlic paste into the slits.
• Put rubbed roast into a gallon-size resealable plastic bag. Pour the liquid mixture over the roast, squeeze as much air from the bag as possible and seal; refrigerate, turning occasionally, 8 hours to overnight.
• Remove pork roast from refrigerator, put into a roasting pan, and let warm at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Roast pork in preheated oven for 30 minutes, reduce heat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and continue cooking until pork is no longer pink in the center, about 2 hours more. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 170 degrees F (75 degrees C).

ROASTED BALSAMIC SWEET POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. Place sweet potatoes in a 15x10x1-in. pan; drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Turn to coat. Bake until tender, 30-35 minutes., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook bacon over medium-low heat until crisp; drain. Discard all but 4 teaspoons drippings., Cook celery and onion in drippings over medium heat until tender, 6-8 minutes. Stir in garlic; cook 1 minute. Add beef stock and balsamic vinegar; simmer until liquid is reduced by half, 5-8 minutes. Add paprika and, if desired, cumin; cook 1 minute longer., Pour balsamic mixture over sweet potatoes; add bacon. Toss to coat. Top with green onions and, if desired, minced fresh parsley; serve immediately.

SWEET POTATOES WITH CUBAN-STYLE BEEF PICADILLO

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°. Pierce potatoes all over with a fork and place on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet; bake until tender, 50 minutes. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Cook onion until soft, 4 minutes. Add garlic, cumin and cinnamon; cook, 1 minute. Add beef and cook through, 5 minutes. Add sherry and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, cherries, olives, capers and salt; reduce heat and simmer, 5 minutes; stir in chopped cilantro. Slice open potatoes and mash insides with a fork; divide beef mixture and cilantro leaves among potatoes.

CUBAN BONIATILLO (SWEET POTATO PASTE DESSERT)

Steps:

• Place the cubed potatoes in a large saucepan, cover with water and add 1 teaspoon salt - boil until tender, about 20 minutes.
• Drain potatoes and puree in a food processor or blender.
• Combine the 2 cups water, 2 cups sugar, lime peel and cinnamon stick in a large heavy saucepan.
• Cook until it reaches the soft-ball stage (250 degrees) on a candy thermometer - about 15 minutes - stir frequently.
• Reduce heat to low, carefully add potatoes cook and stir until smooth - about 6 to 8 minutes.
• Remove from heat and add the egg yolks and mix well.
• Return to low heat for 2 to 3 minutes stirring constantly.
• Remove from the heat mix in either the sherry or the vanilla (NOT BOTH) Note: I like to add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon here, but it's optional.
• Allow the paste to cool at room temperature for about 10 to 15 minutes.
• Transfer to a serving bowl or individual dishes and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve cold.

CUBAN-STYLE PORK AND SWEET POTATOES

Steps:

• Mix sweet potatoes, pork, diced tomatoes with green chile peppers, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cumin, salt, and black pepper together in a slow cooker.
• Cook on Low for 6 hours. Garnish with cilantro.