Souffléed Sweet Potatoes with Garlic & Rosemary

Our version of holiday sweet potatoes puts an end to the usual maple syrup-induced sugar shock, opting instead for roasted garlic and rosemary (plus beaten egg whites for a fluffy texture!)

Photo: Yvonne Duivenvoorden

By Julie O'Hara

Serves: 10
Hands-on time: 20 minutes
Total time: 1 hour, 55 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 lb sweet potatoes, scrubbed well
• 1 head garlic, cloves separated and unpeeled
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 1/2 tbsp fresh rosemary leaves, chopped
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• 4 large egg whites (TIP: Be sure to use fresh egg whites for optimal lift.)
• 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
• Olive oil cooking spray

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400˚F. Using a fork, prick each potato 2 to 3 times. Place potatoes on a baking sheet, transfer to oven and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until softened. Meanwhile, loosely wrap garlic in foil, sealing tightly. Place on a separate baking sheet, transfer to oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until softened but not browned.
2. Remove potatoes and garlic from oven and let cool. When cool enough to handle, peel potatoes and place in a large bowl. Squeeze garlic cloves from their skins and add to bowl. Add broth and use a potato masher to mash until smooth; stir in rosemary, salt and pepper.
3. In a separate large bowl, combine egg whites and cream of tartar. Using an electric mixer, beat on high speed until stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes. With a rubber spatula, gently fold half of egg white mixture into potato mixture until just a few white streaks are visible. Fold in remaining egg white mixture, allowing a few small white streaks to remain visible.
4. Coat a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Add potato mixture, using spatula to smooth top. Transfer to oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until top is lightly browned. Serve hot.

Nutrients per serving (3/4 cup souffléed sweet potatoes): Calories: 170, Total Fat: 0 g, Sat. Fat: 0 g, Carbs: 38 g, Fiber: 5.5 g, Sugars: 8 g, Protein: 5 g, Sodium: 222 mg, Cholesterol: 0 mg

Nutritional Bonus: These spuds provide ample vitamin A, a valuable source of antioxidants for optimal function at the cellular level. A single serving also boasts 22% of your daily fiber and 21% of your day’s vitamin B6, which aids in red blood cell production and contributes to a healthy nervous system. The sweet roasted garlic is both an excellent flavor booster and a rich source of sulfur-containing compounds, such as allicin, which may help control blood pressure.

MAKE-AHEAD:
To make up to 1 day ahead, prepare through Step 2, cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before proceeding with Step 3 the day of
.