I’m always trying to find ways to make the most out of the time I spend in the kitchen – that’s how these Bake-n-Smash Mash recipes came about. Whenever you find yourself using the oven, check to see if there’s room to bake some potatoes at the same time. You’ll need about 45 minutes for the Sweet Potato Mash and about 75 minutes for the Regular Mash. So don’t leave a stew sitting all alone in the oven: throw in a potato to keep it company! It makes good sense to use your oven for two things at once. And if you don’t want to eat the mash straight away, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days. Both of these recipes reheat well and keep the beautiful texture of freshly cooked mash. These recipes really are the ultimate in low-maintenance mash.
Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas 4. Wrap the sweet potato loosely in foil and place it on a baking tray. Bake for 45 minutes or until the sweet potato is tender when pricked with a fork. Remove the sweet potato from the oven, remove the foil, and place the sweet potato on a wire rack to cool slightly. Peel the sweet potato and place the flesh in a large bowl. Mash well and stir in the maple syrup and thyme. Season to taste and serve.