Microwave Sweet Potato
Eight minutes instead of fifty, and with thirty seconds in a pan it still gets roasted flavors.
- Preparation
- 5 min
- Cook/bake time
- 10 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
Eight minutes instead of fifty, and with thirty seconds in a pan it still gets roasted flavors. A whole sweet potato in the oven takes almost an hour, and that is not an option on a Tuesday night. The microwave cooks it through in eight minutes. The only thing missing is the crust, and a hot pan makes up for that in half a minute.
Why this works
The microwave heats water directly inside the vegetable instead of letting heat travel from the outside in. That is why a sweet potato is done in eight instead of fifty minutes, and it is also why its surface remains pale and moist. None of it gets above 100 degrees, and the Maillard reaction only begins at around 140. The pan closes exactly this gap. Thirty seconds on the cut surface are enough because only the outermost cell layer needs to brown. Piercing the skin has a mundane but important reason. The steam inside needs an exit, otherwise the potato will burst in the microwave.
Step-by-step instructions
- 1
Pierce and cook
Wash the sweet potato and pierce it all over six to eight times with a fork. This is not a formality, as the steam inside needs an exit, otherwise it will burst. Cook on a plate at full power for eight minutes, turning once halfway through.
- 2
Check for doneness
A knife must slide to the center without any resistance. If it gets stuck, add two minutes. Large specimens over 400 g need twelve minutes. The time depends on the weight, not the clock.
- 3
Prepare chickpeas and tahini
Mix tahini with lemon juice, a pinch of salt and two tablespoons of water to make a pourable sauce. It will first get thick and then creamy again as you stir. Mix the drained chickpeas with paprika and salt.
- 4
Halve and sear
Halve the sweet potato lengthwise and place it cut side down in a hot, oiled pan. Sear for thirty to forty seconds until a golden crust has formed. This is the step that turns steamed vegetables into a dish. Top with chickpeas, tahini sauce and parsley.
Our best tips
- Always pierce it, at least six times. An unopened sweet potato builds up pressure in the microwave and bursts, which is not a theoretical risk.
