Sweet Potatoes with Milk (Patates ak let)
This Sweet Potatoes with Milk recipe, known as Patates Douces avec du Lait in Haitian Creole, is a heartwarming and satisfying dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Hailing from Haiti, this comforting meal is typically enjoyed at suppertime but can be savored whenever you crave a touch of sweetness and nostalgia.
Type of Sweet Potatoes for the recipe
This dish is usually made with red-skinned sweet potatoes called batatas, which are found in West Indian and Latin supermarkets. They can also be found in regular supermarkets that promote international foods. If you cannot find red-skinned sweet potatoes, you can prepare the dish with sweet yams or traditional sweet potatoes, which are also found in supermarkets.
Benefits of Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients and offer numerous health benefits, including:
- Anti-inflammatory properties: Can aid in reducing inflammation.
- Vitamin A: Helps with vision and immune function.
- Fiber: Promotes digestive health.
- Antioxidants: May help reduce the risk of cancer.
How to make the recipe
The ingredients for Sweet Potatoes with Milk are:
- Sweet potatoes: The main ingredient, providing a sweet and starchy base for the dish. Red-skinned batatas are preferred for their ideal texture and flavor.
- Milk: Adds a creamy and milky flavor to the dish. Evaporated milk mixed with water or whole milk are common choices.
- Ground ginger: Provides a warm and spicy flavor.
- Ground nutmeg: Offers a warm, slightly sweet, and nutty flavor.
- Cinnamon stick: Adds a sweet, aromatic flavor.
- Sugar: Sweetens the dish to taste.
- Vanilla extract: Optional, providing a subtle sweetness and vanilla flavor.
The sweet potatoes provide the base, while the milk adds creaminess. The spices (ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon) provide warmth and depth of flavor, and the sugar and vanilla extract sweeten the dish to taste.
The Instructions
- Prepare the potatoes: Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into cubes. Cook them halfway through in water over low heat.
- Make the milk mixture: In a separate saucepan, bring the milk to a boil. Add ground ginger, cinnamon stick, and nutmeg. Sweeten to taste with sugar.
- Combine: Drain the cooked potatoes and add them to the milk mixture. Let simmer for 5 minutes or until the potatoes are fully cooked and the flavors have blended.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve hot. For an extra touch of flavor, sprinkle with ground nutmeg or cinnamon.
Tips and Notes
Milk Options:
- Fresh milk: If you can find it, fresh milk will add a special touch to the dish.
- Boiled milk: For a creamier and more flavorful result, use boiled milk.
- Evaporated milk: Mix evaporated milk with water for a convenient and versatile option.
- Whole milk: Whole milk in a carton, bottle, or gallon can also be used.
While nut-based milks are typically served cold, they can still be used in this recipe for a unique twist. To enjoy a warm and comforting experience, heat the nut milk until it’s slightly lukewarm. Add ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and a touch of vanilla extract for extra flavor. Finally, stir in the boiled potatoes and savor the dish.
Sweet Potato Choice:
- Red-skinned batatas: For the best flavor and texture, use red-skinned batatas. Yellow sweet potatoes will not produce the same result, but other sweet potato varieties can be used.
Preparation Tips:
- Cut into bite-sized pieces: Ensure the potatoes are easy to eat by cutting them into small cubes.
- Adjust sweetness: Sweeten the dish to your preference.
- Serving temperature: Serve the dish hot or warm for the best enjoyment.
- Flavor enhancement: Sprinkle ground nutmeg or cinnamon for an extra aromatic touch.
- Peeling: Use a vegetable peeler or knife to remove the skin from the sweet potatoes.
Enjoy this classic Haitian comfort food and savor the delicious blend of sweet, milky, and comforting flavors.
Sweet Potatoes with Milk
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 – 2 medium size Sweet Potatoes red skinned sweet potatoes preferably called batatas
- Milk
- Dash of Ginger
- 1 small Cinnamon Stick
- Dash of Nutmeg
- Sugar to taste
- Vanilla extract optional – use a small amount
Instructions
- Peel and cut potatoes into cubes.
- In a medium size saucepan, add potatoes with water and let cook only halfway through on low heat
- In another saucepan, add milk and bring to a boil. Add ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add vanilla extract if using. Add sugar and sweetened to taste.
- Drain water from potatoes once they are halfway cooked. Add potatoes to milk and let cook for an additional 5 minutes until the potatoes cubes are fully cooked and all flavors have blended. Remove from heat and serve hot.
Notes
- Fresh milk: If you can find it, fresh milk will add a special touch to the dish.
- Boiled milk: For a creamier and more flavorful result, use boiled milk.
- Evaporated milk: Mix evaporated milk with water for a convenient and versatile option.
- Whole milk: Whole milk in a carton, bottle, or gallon can also be used.
- Red-skinned batatas: For the best flavor and texture, use red-skinned batatas. Yellow sweet potatoes will not produce the same result, but other sweet potato varieties can be used.
- Cut into bite-sized pieces: Ensure the potatoes are easy to eat by cutting them into small cubes.
- Adjust sweetness: Sweeten the dish to your preference.
- Serving temperature: Serve the dish hot or warm for the best enjoyment.
- Flavor enhancement: Sprinkle ground nutmeg or cinnamon for an extra aromatic touch.
- Peeling: Use a vegetable peeler or knife to remove the skin from the sweet potatoes.
Nutrition
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.
Nutrition info is automatically generated and provided as a courtesy and as an estimate only.
Corn Allergy:
Always choose ingredients without corn or corn derivatives.
Originally published on February 5, 2014. Revised and updated.
I thought only Puerto Rico did this! Hola prima!
Hi, cuz! We love it too in Haiti!
Hi Gemma, this looks great. Do you drink the milk, or just eat the potatoes?
Hi Vickie. You can drink both milk and sweet potatoes. Don’t sweeten the milk too much as the sweet potatoes have their own natural sweetener.
Hi, this sounds delicious! l did have a few questions for you:
– about how big should the cubes be?
– approximately how long do l leave the potatoes in the water?
Thanks!
Stephanie
Hi Stephanie! The cubes should be normal size, about 1 to 2 inches – or bite size. You could cook them halfway. The remaining cooking time should be in the milk. It is a great supper dish. Thanks for your question. :)