Marianne Martinez
Yams and sweet potatoes are often confused with one another, but they are two different vegetables. While yams are part of the lily or monocot family, sweet potatoes are part of the morning glory family. However, they are similar in texture and taste, and can be cooked in similar ways. You can boil, bake, mash, or microwave yams, and you can also pan-fry them. To pan-fry yams, simply heat some oil in a large non-stick frying pan, add sliced yams, and cook on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until they are browned and tender. You can also add seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, and curry powder to taste.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of cooking | Easy to make |
| Taste | Amazing |
| Cooking time | 10-20 minutes |
| Oil required | Low |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, garlic powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, honey, ginger powder, curry powder, thyme |
| Reheating | Microwave or skillet |
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What You'll Learn
- Pan-frying yams/sweet potatoes is a quick and easy process
- Yams/sweet potatoes can be sliced into thin coins or cubes
- Use a good-quality cooking oil, like olive oil, in a large skillet or frying pan
- Seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cinnamon can be added
- Pan-fried yams/sweet potatoes can be served as a tasty side dish
Pan-frying yams/sweet potatoes is a quick and easy process
First, peel and slice the yams/sweet potatoes. The slices should be around 1/8-inch thick, but they don't have to be perfect. Just try to get them as close to the same thickness as possible so that they cook evenly. You can also cut them into cubes of around 1/2-inch to 1-inch in size.
Next, heat a thin layer of olive oil or another good-quality cooking oil in a large skillet, frying pan, or cast-iron skillet over medium to medium-high heat. You don't need to use much oil, but you can add a little more if you're also frying regular potatoes.
Once the oil is hot, add the yam/sweet potato slices or cubes to the pan. If you're frying cubes, get them coated with oil and starting to char before adding any seasonings. For slices, you can season them with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and curry and ginger powder (if desired) before frying.
Allow the yams/sweet potatoes to cook until slightly soft and browned, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. For slices, this should take around 4-6 minutes on each side. For cubes, this will take around 10-15 minutes in total. You'll know they're done when they're fork-tender but not mushy.
Finally, remove from the heat and serve. You can finish with a drizzle of honey for a touch of sweetness.
And that's it! A quick, easy, and tasty way to prepare yams/sweet potatoes.
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Yams/sweet potatoes can be sliced into thin coins or cubes
Yams and sweet potatoes can be sliced into thin coins or cubes before pan-frying. This is a quick and easy way to cook yams/sweet potatoes, taking around 15 minutes. It is also a versatile method, as yams/sweet potatoes can be served as a savoury or sweet dish.
To make yam/sweet potato coins, peel the vegetable and slice it into thin, coin-shaped rounds. For larger yams/sweet potatoes, you may want to cut these coin shapes in half to make them closer to bite-sized pieces. Try to make sure all of your slices are cut to the same width so that they cook relatively evenly. Heat a thin layer of olive oil or another good-quality cooking oil in a large skillet, frying pan, or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Place a single layer of yam/sweet potato coins in the oil. Sprinkle the coins with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and curry and ginger powder (if using), if desired. Lower the heat to medium-low. Allow the yams/sweet potatoes to cook until slightly soft and browned, about 4 to 6 minutes, then flip. Sprinkle the other side with salt, pepper, garlic, and optional spices. Cook for another 4 to 6 minutes, or until the yams/sweet potatoes can be easily pierced with a knife. Repeat until all the slices are cooked, adding more oil to the pan as needed.
To make yam/sweet potato cubes, peel and lightly wash the vegetable with cold water. Cut into 1/2-inch to 1-inch cubes. Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium heat on the larger burner, pour in canola oil. Once the skillet reaches 375°F, add the cubed yams/sweet potatoes. As the cubes are sautéing, add in the seasonings. Remove from the heat when the yams/sweet potatoes are fork-tender but not mushy. Serve with a drizzle of honey.
There are many ways to season yams/sweet potatoes when pan-frying. Some recipes suggest a savoury blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Others recommend a sweeter combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and honey.
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Use a good-quality cooking oil, like olive oil, in a large skillet or frying pan
When pan-frying yams or sweet potatoes, it's important to use a good-quality cooking oil, such as olive oil, in a large skillet or frying pan. You'll want to heat the oil over medium to medium-high heat before adding your yams or sweet potatoes. The amount of oil you use will depend on the number of yams or sweet potatoes you're frying. As a guide, you'll need enough oil to form a thin layer in the pan.
For sweet potatoes, it's recommended to cut them into coin-shaped slices about 1/2-inch thick. If you're using larger sweet potatoes, you may want to cut these coin shapes in half so that they're closer to bite-sized pieces. It's important to try to ensure that all your sweet potato slices are a similar width so that they cook evenly. You can also cut them into cubes of around 1/2-inch to 1-inch in size.
When frying yams or sweet potatoes, it's best to work in batches so that you don't crowd the pan. Place a single layer of slices or cubes in the hot oil and sprinkle with your desired seasonings. Some popular seasoning options include salt, pepper, garlic powder, curry powder, and ginger powder. You can also try a combination of steak seasoning, black pepper, garlic powder, salt, and paprika.
Once your yams or sweet potatoes are in the pan, be sure to stir or flip them occasionally to ensure even cooking. The cooking time will depend on the size and type of yam or sweet potato, but typically they will need to cook for a few minutes on each side until they are slightly soft and browned. You'll know they're done when they can be easily pierced with a knife.
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Seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cinnamon can be added
Yes, you can pan-fry yams! In fact, pan-frying yams or sweet potatoes is a quick and easy way to make a tasty side dish. It's a simple method that often gets overlooked.
To start, peel your yams and slice them into thin, coin-shaped pieces. Try to make the slices a similar width so they cook evenly. You can also cut them into cubes if you prefer. Heat some olive oil or another good-quality cooking oil in a large skillet, frying pan, or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Place a single layer of yam slices in the oil and sprinkle with seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cinnamon. You can also add other spices like curry powder, ginger powder, or nutmeg.
Cook the yams until they are slightly soft and browned, then flip them over. Sprinkle the other side with more seasonings and cook until the yams are easily pierced with a knife. You can also add the seasonings after adding the yams to the pan, making sure to coat them well with oil and seasoning.
Some recipes suggest adding other ingredients to the pan, such as butter, olive oil, and honey, to create a glaze. You can also add minced garlic, but be careful not to burn it.
Pan-fried yams are a delicious and easy way to enjoy this vegetable, and you can experiment with different seasonings to find your favourite flavour combinations.
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Pan-fried yams/sweet potatoes can be served as a tasty side dish
Pan-fried yams/sweet potatoes make for a tasty and quick side dish that can be prepared in just 15 minutes. This dish pairs well with any main course and can also be served as a vegetarian bowl with a drizzle of honey.
To prepare this dish, you can peel and cut the yams/sweet potatoes into thin slices or cubes of about 1/2-inch thickness. Heat a large non-stick frying pan on medium heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil or any other good-quality cooking oil. You can also add butter, olive oil, and honey to the pan for a sweeter version. Once the oil is hot, add the yam/sweet potato slices to the pan and season them with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and curry and ginger powder (if desired).
Allow the yams/sweet potatoes to cook for about 4-6 minutes until slightly soft and browned, then flip them over. Sprinkle the other side with the same seasonings and cook for another 4-6 minutes or until the yams/sweet potatoes are easily pierced with a knife. You can also add in onions and regular potatoes for a heartier dish.
To keep the yams/sweet potatoes warm while you fry them in batches, preheat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and place the cooked yams/sweet potatoes on a sheet pan in the oven until all the batches are done.
This dish can be served warm and leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to a week and reheated in a skillet to maintain their crispness.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can pan-fry yams.
To pan-fry yams, first, peel and slice the yams. Heat oil in a pan, add the yam slices, and season with salt and pepper. Fry the yams for a few minutes on each side until they are tender and browned.
When pan-frying yams, it is important to ensure that the yam slices are of a similar thickness so that they cook evenly. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, curry powder, or ginger powder to taste. Additionally, it is a good idea to stir the yams frequently to prevent them from sticking to the pan.
