Sweet & Spicy Sweet Potato with Walnuts

This is one of my go-to Autumn recipes, hearty enough to keep me full for several hours when I have it as my lunch.  You can also serve these sweet & spicy sweet potatoes as a substantial side dish to a savory entree such as roast chicken, pork chops, steak, etc.  The recipe below is for one, but you can certainly multiply it for as many people as you need to feed.  And feel free to adjust the ingredient amounts to your personal taste preferences.  Just make sure the sweet potato is fully cooked so that you can easily cut into it.

Ingredients:
1 cooked sweet potato, still hot
Butter, approx 1/2 Tbs
Real maple syrup, approx scant 1/4 cup
Coarsely chopped walnuts, approx scant 1/4 cup
Cinnamon, approx 1/8 tsp
Dash (or more) ground habanero powder, preferably smoked habanero (use ground cayenne or red pepper for less heat)

Split open the sweet potato and use a fork to slightly break up each half.  Add the butter and use the fork to gently incorporate it into the two halves as the butter melts (you don't need to thoroughly mix it in; the goal is simply to have some butter on both halves).  Sprinkle with walnuts, cinnamon, and ground habanero powder to taste.  Drizzle maple syrup on top, and enjoy.  I use a spoon to get every last bit of goodness!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria
Carolina Sauce Company

PS:  If you like sweet potatoes and enjoy spicy foods, check out Cackalacky Spice Sauce, an award-winning North Carolina sauce made with sweet potatoes, aged hot peppers, and other all-natural ingredients for a fun-loving sassy flavor that pairs well with everything from chicken, burgers and fries to meatloaf, shrimp, chicken, grilled veggies, bean dishes and more.