Fondant Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

FONDANT POTATOES:
1.5 kg / 3 lb sweet potatoes – 3 thick ones (Note 1)
25g/ 1 1/2 tbsp butter , unsalted, melted (Note 2)
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil (Note 2)
3/4 tsp salt , kosher/cooking (1/2 tsp table salt)
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 1/4 cups chicken stock , low sodium (or vegetable stock)
1 garlic clove , finely minced
MAPLE BUTTER PECAN SAUCE (OPTIONAL / NOT REALLY!):
1/2 cup maple syrup (pure, Note 3)
30g/ 2 tbsp butter , unsalted
1/3 cup pecans , chopped (Note 4)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of salt
SERVING
1 1/2 tsp fresh thyme leaves (highly recommended)

Description

• Preheat oven to 240°C/465°F (220°C fan).

• Cut the potatoes into 3cm / 1.2″ discs.

• Place the potatoes in a large roasting pan or baking sheet with tallish sides (we're adding liquid later).

• Drizzle with butter and oil, sprinkle with half the salt and pepper. Squidge around, turn potatoes, sprinkle with remaining salt and pepper.

• Roast: Place in the oven and roast for 20 minutes.

• Turn, continue roasting: Carefully turn potatoes, then roast for a further 15 minutes.

• Baste, add stock: Spoon the butter/oil collecting in the pan over the potatoes. Then carefully pour the stock in around the potatoes, and scatter the garlic into the liquid.

• Roast to absorb stock: Return to the oven, and roast for a further 15 to 20 minutes or until most of the liquid has been absorbed/evaporated. The exact time depends on the height of pan walls / how heavy-based your pan is etc.

• Assemble & serve: Transfer potatoes to serving platter, scraping up some of the pan juices as you go (Note 5), and piling them high on the plate. Pour over Maple Butter Pecan Sauce and sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves just before serving. Serve warm – or at room temperature!

MAPLE BUTTER PECAN SAUCE:

• Place pecans in a saucepan or small skillet over medium high heat. Stir for 30 seconds until you can smell the pecans. Add remaining ingredients, then once the butter melts and it starts bubbling, simmer on medium heat for 1 1/2 minutes until it reduces and thickens slightly (it gets thicker as it cools).

• Transfer to serving jug. Serve over potatoes.