How To Bake a Sweet Potato

7 Easy steps on how to bake a sweet potato
 
When most people think of sweet potatoes they think of of the sweet potato casserole that is traditionally served at Thanksgiving dinner. It consists of mashed sweet potatoes covered in melted marshmallows. 

The sweet potatoes are healthy and rich in vitamins and nutrients. Also they are are incredibly versatile in how they can be prepared. They can easily be incorporated into casseroles, desserts and even salads. Part of the reason that sweet potatoes are becoming so popular is because of the immense nutrients that they provide you with. While a sweet potato only holds about 140 calories it is rich in vitamin C, calcium, iron and vitamin A. Additionally it is a low sodium food that is high in fiber and beta carotene. Quite simply it is an almost perfect food if prepared correctly.  

One of the most healthful ways to prepare a sweet potato is to bake it.  Baking is wonderful because as a cooking method it does not negatively impact the healthful qualities of the food. Basically, you are able to bake a sweet potato without having to immerse it in grease. Instead, it is an easy cooking method that is very healthy.  

How to bake a sweet potato:

1- Make sure that you pick out a medium size sweet potato and that you scrub the exterior so that it is ready to be baked. 

2- While you are cleaning the potato you will want to preheat your oven to 400° F.

3- As the oven heats you are going to want to take a fork to pierce each sweet potato a couple of times. You want to do this because it keeps the potato from bursting. The small holes allow some of the natural moisture that it holds to escape during the baking process.

4- Next you need to put the potato on a baking sheet that you have lined with tin foil. Often it is easier to use a rimmed baking sheet rather than a cookie sheet because these will help them to stay in place. 

5- You will then place the sweet potatoes in the oven for about forty five minutes.

6- You will know that they are ready when they are tender and able to be easily pierced with a fork. 

7- Once the potato is ready you can pull it out of the oven, you do not have to do much more to make your baked sweet potato ready to eat. 

Simply cut a slit down the center of the potato and top with a bit of butter or season with salt and pepper.