Sweet Potatoes in Japanese Cuisine: A Delicacy and Nutritious Delight

Japanese cuisine, with its delicate balance of flavors and unique ingredient combinations, is revered worldwide. Among the many versatile ingredients that grace Japanese tables, sweet potatoes stand out for their sweet, earthy flavor and nutritional value. This article explores two classic Japanese recipes that feature sweet potatoes and provides detailed instructions for you to recreate them in your kitchen.

Soy Glazed Sweet Potato Recipe

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons brown sugar 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce 2 tablespoons mirin 1 tablespoon dark sesame oil 4 garlic cloves, minced 2-3 sweet potatoes, diced 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds 1 sheet of toasted nori

Preparation:

Preheat your oven to 400°F. In a bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, and minced garlic until well combined. Place the diced sweet potatoes in a 13x9-inch baking dish in a single layer. Pour the soy sauce mixture over the sweet potatoes, then cover with foil. Bake for 50 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. While the potatoes bake, brush them with the soy sauce mixture and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with sesame seeds and shredded nori. Toss gently and serve.

Candied Sweet Potato Recipe

Ingredients:

300g/11oz Japanese sweet potato 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 5 tablespoons sugar 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce 1/2 teaspoon rice vinegar 1 teaspoon roasted black sesame seeds

Instructions:

Wash the sweet potato carefully. Using a Japanese cutting technique called "Rangiri," cut the sweet potato diagonally while rotating it a quarter turn between each cut. Soak the sweet potatoes in water for 15 minutes to remove starch. Change the water a few times. Cover the frying pan’s lid with a kitchen cloth to avoid condensation. Place the oil, sugar, soy sauce, and rice vinegar in the pan and mix well. Remove the sweet potatoes from the water and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels. Add the sweet potatoes to the pan, cover with the lid, and turn on medium heat. When a bubbling sound is heard, reduce the heat to low to medium-low and set a timer for 2 minutes. Open the lid and flip the sweet potatoes every 2-3 minutes to achieve a nice golden brown color and flavor. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until a skewer can easily pass through the sweet potato. Transfer the sweet potatoes to a serving plate, sprinkle with black sesame seeds, and serve.

Conclusion

These sweet potato recipes showcase both the versatility and the deliciousness of sweet potatoes in Japanese cuisine. They not only add delightful textures and flavors to your dishes but also provide essential nutrients. Whether you are a seasoned chef or a novice cook, these recipes are perfect for experimenting and enjoying the rich heritage of Japanese culinary arts. Happy cooking!

Keywords: sweet potatoes, Japanese recipes, soy glazed sweet potato, candied sweet potatoes