This healthier version of the original version of sweet potato pie. No crust and no sugar. And it tastes wonderful! Friends and family still say,
..“this is the best sweet potato soufflè I have ever had!“
Long ago, I was invited to classmates dinner during a crisp autumn weekend. I decided to bring a sweet potato cassarole with marshmallows. This was the first time I made this thanksgiving classic. I watched mom make lanttulaatikko at Christmas and substituted sweet potatoes for the rutabaga. She did not use a recipe and we didn’t have internet in those days. As I arrived, the host did not know what I brought. Too much studying. However, it was all gone. I kept my wheelhouse of spices when I made the sweet potato soufflè . I have never added sugar or syrup to this dish because mom never did. Subsequently I did not add any sweetener. Frankly, I never understand the addition of extra sugar to this delicious soufflè . I knew from basic chemistry that oven baking turns the sweet potato even sweeter.
Recipe ❤️
Sweet Potato Soufflè - Mildly Spicy
INGREDIENTS
5 tablespoon salted butter, plus more for soufflé dish(es)
Fine ground rye bread crumbs -enough to coat the baking dish(es)
3 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole milk
1 1/2 cup mashed sweet potatoes
3-4 large eggs, separated, and at room temperature
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp. chili pepper
1 tbsp. lemon zest (one lemon)
3-5 cardamon pods – ground (optional)
A pinch of turmeric (optional)
A pinch of cumin (optional)
1/4 tsp cream of tartar (for egg whites- stabilizer)
A pinch of salt (for egg whites)
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.(Prep dish as oven is heating) Butter a 1-quart soufflé dish -or ramekins- and coat inside with butter, followed by fine bread crumbs, tilting and turning dish to coat sides completely.
Prepare Sweet Potato
2. Microwave sweet potatoes by puncturing with a fork in several places & wrapping in a moist paper towel set at high for 5 minutes. Check if done by poking with a fork. Flip the potatoes over and continue to microwave for another 2-3 minutes. minutes. The moist paper towel allows for fast peeling.
Purée Sweet Potatoes
3. Cool potatoes to room temperature, then transfer to a food processor or blender. First, purée fresh chilli peppers. Then add sweet potatoes. Purée until smooth, to yield 1 1/2 up to 2 cups.
4. In the microwave, heat milk (about 20-30 seconds) until hot, but not boiling. Place hot milk in the bowl of an electric mixer and slowly add sweet potato, butter and spices. Blend well. Taste to determine if you need more spice. Then, whisk 4 egg yolks and add to sweet potatoes. Blend well.
Egg Whites
5. Beat 4 egg whites with a pinch of salt + 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar in a very clean chilled bowl (copper bowl -if you have one) until stiff peaks start to form.
6. Fold egg whites into sweet potato mixture; pour into prepared soufflé dish(es). Flatten the top of the dish with a knife and use your finger to follow around the inside rim to create a rounded, high, even puff. Turn oven down to 375F. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until well puffed and browned on top. Serve immediately.
Egg Whites: Fix
The most crucial step in all soufflès are the egg whites. Whisk egg whites until foamy and just turning to a peak. Some chefs add cream of tartar ( in lieu of sugar or plus sugar) to prevent the egg whites from collapsing. Over whisking egg whites will result in dryness and breaking of the soufflè. If your souffle does not rise a lot do not worry. It will taste great. If you like this dish, you can achieve great heights the next time you make it! 🙂
Vegan Version
- Olive oil instead of butter
- Unsweetened vanilla almond milk instead of regular milk
- Leave the skin on because it’s full of nutrients
- Add a little bit of turmeric to balance blood sugar. [ you can not taste it in the pie]
Healthy Nutrition
Sweet Potatoes are known to be beneficial to individuals with type 2 diabetes due to the high levels of magnesium and fiber, which helps in reducing insulin resistance and stabilizes blood sugar.
Sweet potatoes have a large level of carbohydrates. But, they generally have a low glycemic index: of 61.
VARIATIONS
To the base: add grated ginger, garlic, apples, pineapple, cranberries, currents, cheese or white potato. Sprinkle cinnamon on top. Add au juice: hot cinnamon/apple/cranberry juice to the table.
<– This souffle is broken. As the famous Julia Child would say, “No one will know.“
Orange Sweet Potato (most common), Red Jamaican (white inside) and Japanese Sweet Potato (All red)
Coffee Soufflé ☕ by Julia Child
You may guess I am a big fan of Julia Child. Julia Child’s coffee soufflé directions are standard and apply to the sweet potato soufflé . Good Baking Tips!
Simply Splendid Food 