Sweet Potato Biscuits

I know what you're thinking.  Who cooks with sweet potatoes in the middle of a heat wave in July?

I would think the same thing if it weren't for the fact that these biscuits work so well with many things gracing your grill this time of year.  Pork chops, pulled pork, sausages etc.  There is something about the perfect marriage of flavours that happens when you pair pork and sweet potatoes.  Not too mention, they're a great way to incorporate a little extra fibre, vitamins A and C, iron and calcium into your nightly meal.  

 

 

These biscuits are also easily made with the help of your little sous chefs. Encourage some company in the kitchen by having your older children mash the potatoes while the younger ones whisk the dry ingredients together.  Assist them in forming a dough and let them loose with the cookie cutters.  We stick to 1" circles but fun shapes could work nicely as well.

And if you're little ones aren't free to assist with making these yummy bites, don't worry.  They'll be grateful you made them anyways.  Especially when paired with some gilled pork chops.

PS - Don't forget to enter the giveaway for Rae Grant's Homemade Fun.  Contest closes tonight at midnight!

Sweet Potato Biscuits, adapted from Bon Appetit

• 1 large sweet potato
• 1 3/4 cups whole wheat pastry or all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp dark brown sugar
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 cup butter, chilled and cut into small 1/2" cubes
• 1/2 cup cold buttermilk

Place sweet potatoes in a saucepan with salted water and bring to a boil.  Cook for 6-8 minutes or until tender.  Drain, cool and mash.  Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cayenne together in a medium sized mixing bowl.  Add the butter to the flour mixture and toss together with your hands until it the texture is coarse and sandy.

Whisk 3/4 cup of mashed sweet potatoes with the buttermilk until smooth.  Add to the flour mixture and stir together with a fork. Knead the dough until it comes together.  Spread a small amount of flour onto the counter.  Place the dough ball on top of the flour and pat our into a 1" thick circle.

Using a floured 1" cookie cutter, cut out biscuits and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.  Bake for 8 minutes or until tops are golden brown.