a surprise inside

Can you guess what’s inside this little gem?

I’ll give you a hint

No, it’s not a  sinfully rich cream, butter and sugar concoction (heart attack anyone?)

It actually contain both fruit AND vegetable, if you can believe it.

It can also be served like this: (with Spiced Pumpkin Granola)

It is suitable to feed one of these:

If you can catch him.

Give up?

Ok, ok it’s:

Sweet Potato Custard

• 3/4C soy milk (dairy/almond/coconut would work)
• 2 Medjool dates
• 2T maple syrup
• 1/2t cinnamon
• 1/2t vanilla extract
• 1/3C cooked sweet potato (or pumpkin)
• 1/4t guar gum
• 1/4t sea salt

1. Chop up your dates finely, and place in the food processor with maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, sweet potato and sea salt.  Use a little of the milk for lubrication and process until smooth.
2. Transfer into a small saucepan with the remaining milk.
3. Bring to the boil.
4. Reduce to a simmer, and add the 1/4t guar gum.  Stir until thick.
5. Spoon into bowls, either eat warm or let it set into more of a ‘pudding’ in the fridge.

If you want to use it as a pie filling, I made a simple nut crust (dates, almonds, sea salt pulsed in a food processor and pushed into a pie tin).  Pour in the sweet potato custard, chill in the fridge.  Once it has cooled and set slightly, pour this glaze on top:

(I made a single-serve pie – a 3 inch diameter dish – and this made too much for that.  Oh damn, what am I to do with all this leftover chocolate?)

• 1T coconut oil
• 2 1/2 t maple syrup
• 1t organic cacao powder
• Pinch of sea salt
• Chopped nuts for sprinkling

Melt coconut oil, mix in everything apart from chopped nuts.  Pour glaze over pie, sprinkle over nuts and chill in the fridge until it sets.

If you’re not into the sweet (what’s WRONG with you?!) than here is something savoury utilising my mate, old champy champ Mr. Sweet Potato (has no offiliation with Mr. Potato Head, that guy is just annoying).

Viper would LOVE this. Geek. Star Wars. Yawn.

Sweet Potato “Mayonaise”

If you want a thick dip, instead of a dressing/sauce – omit water.  Makes approximately 1/2 cup.

• 1/3C sweet potato puree (can sub pumpkin instead)
• 1T nutritional yeast
• 1t tahini
• 1/2 t wholegrain mustard
• 1t apple cider vinegar
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 4T water
• 1/2t lemon juice
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Blend all ingredients together.

Use however you feel appropriate – salad dressing, sauce, dip, body paint – I’m not one to judge.