I love sweet potatoes. They are not only delicious, but also packed with essential nutrients. They make a perfect side dish for a weeknight dinner or a healthy snack option. While baking sweet potatoes in the oven takes time, microwaving them is a quick and easy alternative. In this guide, I will show you how to microwave sweet potatoes to perfection.
Gather your ingredients and supplies
Before we dive into the cooking process, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients and supplies at hand. Here’s what you’ll need:
List of ingredients:
1 or 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes (cleaned and scrubbed)
Olive oil (or any cooking oil of your choice)
Salt and pepper (to taste)
Desired toppings (such as butter, cinnamon, or brown sugar)
List of supplies:
A microwave-safe plate
A fork
Saran wrap or a microwave-safe cover
An oven mitt or a clean kitchen towel
Preparing the sweet potatoes
Once you have all your ingredients and supplies ready, it’s time to prepare the sweet potatoes for microwaving. Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Clean and scrub
Start by cleaning the sweet potatoes under cool running water.
Use a scrub brush or your hands to gently scrub away any dirt or debris on the skin.
Step 2: Poking holes
Take a fork and poke several holes all around each sweet potato.
This step is crucial to allow steam to escape while microwaving, preventing any potential explosions.
Microwaving the sweet potatoes
Now that your sweet potatoes are prepped and ready, it’s time to cook them in the microwave. Follow these steps for perfectly cooked sweet potatoes:
Step 1: Placing on a microwave-safe plate
Put the prepared sweet potatoes on a microwave-safe plate.
Make sure there is enough space between them to allow for even cooking.
Step 2: Drizzling with oil and seasoning
Drizzle a small amount of olive oil over each sweet potato.
Use your hands to rub the oil evenly on the surface of the potatoes.
Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste.
Step 3: Covering with saran wrap
Cover the plate with saran wrap or a microwave-safe cover.
The cover helps retain moisture and speeds up the cooking process.
Step 4: Microwaving
Place the plate with sweet potatoes in the microwave.
Cook on high power for about 5 minutes.
Rotate the potatoes halfway through cooking to ensure even heat distribution.
Step 5: Checking for doneness
After 5 minutes, carefully remove the plate from the microwave using an oven mitt or a clean kitchen towel.
Uncover the sweet potatoes and test for doneness.
Insert a fork or a knife into the thickest part of each potato.
If it slides in easily, the potatoes are ready.
If not, return to the microwave and cook in 1-minute increments until tender.
Serving and enjoying your microwaved sweet potatoes
Once your sweet potatoes are cooked to perfection, it’s time to add some delicious toppings and enjoy them. Here are a few serving suggestions:
Butter and salt:
Spread a pat of butter on the hot sweet potato.
Sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
Maple cinnamon:
Mix a tablespoon of maple syrup with a pinch of cinnamon.
Drizzle the mixture over the sweet potato.
Classic brown sugar:
Sprinkle a teaspoon of brown sugar over the sweet potato.
Add a small pat of butter for extra richness.
Conclusion
Microwaving sweet potatoes is a quick and easy way to enjoy this nutritious root vegetable. With just a few simple steps, you can have perfectly cooked sweet potatoes in no time. Remember to gather your ingredients and supplies before getting started, and don’t forget to poke holes in the potatoes to release steam. Enjoy your microwaved sweet potatoes with your favorite toppings and savor their deliciousness.
