Sweet Potato Cornbread Muffins

Fall seems to be filled with the aroma of pumpkin-spiced everything... and these muffins are no different! Whether you make this recipe with sweet potato, pumpkin, or squash, these cinnamon- and nutmeg-spiced muffins will be the perfect complement to a steaming bowl of comforting chili, soup, or stew. The next morning, warm the leftovers in the microwave and spread them with a little butter and/or honey for a quick and easy breakfast!

Sweet Potato Cornbread Muffins
Yield: 15 muffins

Ingredients
1 cup Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Cornmeal
1 cup Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (substitute coconut oil for dairy free)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup mashed sweet potato (can substitute pumpkin or butternut/buttercup squash)
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup milk (substitute almond milk for dairy free)
2 large eggs, room temperature

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line muffin tins with paper liners; set aside.
2. Combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix well and set aside.
3. In stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add sweet potato (or pumpkin/squash) and honey; mix until thoroughly combined. Add milk and eggs; stir until incorporated. Add dry ingredients and stir until few lumps remain.
4. Using ice cream scoop, divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Bake 15-18 minutes, or until muffins are golden and cooked through (toothpick inserted in center will come out clean).
5. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then place muffins on wire rack to finish cooling.
6. Enjoy muffin(s) hot from the oven spread with butter, honey, or all on its own!

Note: For mini muffins, bake about 9 minutes.

Recipe adapted from Peas and Crayons.

Spiced Bacon Pecan Sweet Potatoes

This dish fully embodies the saying, "Sugar and Spice, and Everything Nice!" The sugary maple syrup paired with the sweetness of the potatoes contrasts nicely with the heat provided by the chili powder and cayenne pepper.

As we approach the holiday season, this savory recipe is the perfect side dish for family get-togethers at Thanksgiving and/or Christmas. It also makes for a quick and easy weeknight dinner!

Spiced Bacon Pecan Sweet Potatoes
Yield: 6-8 side dish servings

Ingredients
3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup cooked bacon crumbles
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Lightly grease rimmed baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange potato cubes in single layer. Bake 20-25 minutes, until potatoes are tender and begin to darken in color.
3. Scoop potatoes from pan into large bowl. Add bacon and pecans. Drizzle with maple syrup and sprinkle all spices on top. Gently stir to evenly distribute all ingredients.
4. Serve warm.

Recipe adapted from Danielle Walker's Against All Grain.

Roasted Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad

This salad has a bright, bold flavor thanks to the zesty lime vinaigrette enrobing the fluffy quinoa, sweet potatoes, tart cranberries, fresh herbs, and flavorful spices.

Roasted Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad with Zesty Lime Dressing
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients
Salad:
 2 medium-large sweet potatoes (washed, peeled & cubed into 1-inch chunks)
 salt & pepper
 1/2 cup dried quinoa
 1 cup water
 1/2 cup dried cranberries
 1/2 cup fresh cilantro and/or parsley, roughly chopped
 1/4 cup sliced green onion
 2-3 Tbsp raw pumpkin seeds (or sunflower kernels)

Dressing:
 4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
 2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
 1 Tbsp honey (maple syrup or agave, if vegan)
 1/8 tsp cinnamon
 1/8 tsp cumin
 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
 1/8 tsp salt

Directions
For the Roasted Sweet Potatoes:
 1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Transfer chopped sweet potato to prepared baking sheet and spray with additional nonstick spray. Lightly season with salt and pepper.
 2. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Allow potatoes to cool slightly before handling.
For the Quinoa:
 3. While sweet potatoes are roasting, combine quinoa and water in medium-sized pot. Bring mixture to gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and gently simmer until quinoa has absorbed all of the water.
 4. Remove from heat, cover the pot, and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. Uncover pot and fluff quinoa with a fork. Set aside to cool.
For the Dressing:
 5. While quinoa is cooking, add oil, lime juice, vinegar, honey, spices, and salt to small bowl. Whisk until salad dressing comes together. Set aside.
For the Salad:
 6. In large bowl, add slightly cooled sweet potatoes, slightly cooled quinoa, cranberries, fresh herbs, and green onion. Pour salad dressing over top of veggies and quinoa. Gently stir to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
 7. Just before serving, garnish with raw pumpkin seeds on top.
 8. Enjoy immediately or store in refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Recipe adapted from nourished. the blog.