How to Bake a Sweet Potato

1 serving   

• a   9 to 12 oz sweet potato or yam

Pre-heat the oven to 350° to 375°. Wash the potato lightly to remove dirt without breaking the skin then dry with a paper towel. Pierce the skin a couple of times with a fork to allow steam to escape and prevent possible bursting in oven.

If you wish to eat the skin (as I do), the skin may be coated lightly with some butter or a vegetable oil. DO NOT wrap in foil as you will get a soggy potato (the steam didn't escape) instead of the desired texture.

Place potato(s) on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 45-55 minutes (depending on the size of the potato). Test potato for doneness by squeezing gently...if done the potato will be slightly soft.

Serve immediately with any (or combination) of these:
butter
butter spray
Butter Buds or Molly McButter
cinnamon
chopped pecans
brown sugar
raisins

Also, I like to make an extra potato so I can cool it in the refrigerator for later... wrap a paper towel partly around a cold potato and eat it as a nutritious snack.

Or, wrap a large yam (14-16 oz) in foil and bake in a pre-heated 400° for about 1 hour (until tender). But remember, you will get a soggy potato (the steam didn't escape) instead of the desired texture.

Bon appetit!