Orange & Peanut Sweet Potatoes
Submitted by billybean
Microwave sweet potatoes glazed with orange juice, honey, and orange zest, topped with crunchy peanuts. A single-serving vegan side dish ready in under 10 minutes.
YIELD
1 servingsPREP
15 minCOOK
15 minREADY
30 minA single sweet potato, sliced thick, microwaved until tender, and dressed in a glossy orange-honey sauce with peanuts scattered on top. This is a side dish that punches well above its ingredient count.
The sauce is just orange juice, a bit of cornstarch, honey, and finely shredded orange zest, cooked in the microwave for under a minute. The cornstarch thickens it into a sticky glaze that clings to every slice. That little bit of orange zest does more than you’d expect. The oils in the peel add a floral, citrusy aroma that juice alone doesn’t deliver.
Peanuts on sweet potatoes might sound unusual, but the salty crunch against the soft, sweet potato and sticky citrus glaze creates a contrast that keeps you going back for more. It’s a combination that shows up across West African and Southeast Asian cooking for good reason.
Kitchen Tips
- Slice evenly at ½ inch thick. Uneven slices mean some pieces turn to mush while others stay hard. Consistency matters in the microwave.
- Stir the sauce every 15 seconds. Cornstarch clumps quickly in a microwave. Frequent stirring keeps it smooth and prevents lumps from forming.
- Use fresh orange juice if possible. The flavor difference between fresh-squeezed and carton juice is noticeable in a recipe this simple.
- Swap honey for maple syrup for a deeper, more autumnal sweetness that pairs beautifully with sweet potato.
Variations
- Spiced version: Add a pinch of cinnamon and a tiny dash of cayenne to the sauce for a warm, spicy-sweet glaze.
- Cashew swap: Replace peanuts with toasted cashews for a buttery, milder crunch.
Ingredients
Directions
Peel and slice sweet potato crosswise into ½-inch thick slices.
Place in a 10-ounce casserole.
Sprinkle lightly with salt.
Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon orange juice.
Micro-cook, covered, on 100% power for 4 to 6 minutes or until potato is tender.
Let stand, covered, while preparing sauce.
For sauce, in a 1-cup measure stir together ¼ cup orange juice, cornstarch, and shredded orange peel.
Stir in honey or maple syrup.
Micro-cook, uncovered, on 100% power for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until thickened and bubbly, stirring every 15 seconds.
Stir together sauce and potato slices.
Sprinkle with peanuts.
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