MASHED SWEET POTATOES WITH ORANGE ZEST AND SPICES

(Adapted from The Food You Crave by Ellie Krieger)

2 large sweet potatoes (about 1 ½ lbs.), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

¼ c. low-fat buttermilk

2 tbsp. fresh orange juice

1 tsp. finely grated orange zest

½ tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. cinnamon

salt to taste

Place the sweet potato chunks in a steamer over a large pot of boiling water. Cover and steam until fork-tender – about 12 to 15 minutes. While potatoes are cooking, heat the buttermilk in the microwave for 20 seconds, just to take away the chill. Do not boil or it will curdle – which is not the end of the world, but the sweet potatoes will have white specks. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the warm buttermilk and orange juice; mash until smooth. Stir in the orange zest, nutmeg and cinnamon. Season with salt, as needed.

Serves 4.
Approximately 160 calories per serving.

Note: If you don’t have a stove-top steamer, place the raw sweet potato chunks in a microwave-safe covered casserole and cook on high until softened. Mash sweet potatoes and continue preparation in the casserole dish, as directed in the recipe.