How to Bake a Sweet Potato

A baked sweet potato is one of life's simplest pleasures. Fluffy and sweet on its own, it only gets better when you add your favorite toppings. And the best part? A sweet potato packs a healthy punch! It's relatively high in fiber and a great source of vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), vitamin C and potassium. It also contains several other vitamins and minerals. What's the difference between a sweet potato and a yam? You're not going to believe this. The tuber known as a "yam" to Americans actually is a sweet potato! There are two types of sweet potatoes common in America – one with orange flesh and copper skin, and one with a creamy, white flesh and golden skin. The U.S. Department of Agriculture decided to call the orange ones "yams," to differentiate them from the lighter-colored sweet potato. True yams come from Africa and Asia and have nearly black, bark-like skin. Inside, the flesh is purple, white or reddish. How to bake a sweet potato in the oven Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. Scrub the sweet potato with a brush under cold water until you've removed any dirt. Pat the spud dry with a paper towel. Rub the sweet potato with butter or oil, if you wish. Prick the sweet potato all over with a fork. The holes will allow steam to escape during baking. Place your sweet potato on a foil-lined baking sheet. (Oozing will occur during baking, so the foil will help with cleanup.) Bake for 45-60 minutes, until you can easily stick a fork in the sweet potato. How to bake a sweet potato in the microwave  Want to quickly make a baked sweet potato? Use your microwave and enjoy the delicious results! Scrub the sweet potato with a brush under cold water until you've removed any dirt. Pat it dry with a paper towel. Prick the sweet potato all over with a fork. The holes will allow steam to escape during baking. Place your sweet potato on a microwaveable plate, cover it with wax paper, and heat on high for 5-7 minutes, or until tender. Sweet Potato Toppings Butter & cinnamon Brown sugar A fried egg Guacamole Salsa Other Sweet Potato Recipes How to Parboil Sweet Potatoes Whole 30 Mexican Egg Baked Sweet Potatoes How to Bake Sweet Potato Fries via Food Fanatic http://ift.tt/2onXtlx Food Fanatic