Sweet Potato Biscuits

These flaky and tender sweet potato biscuits make the perfect housing for Easter ham, or enjoy them on their own with a bit of butter and honey. My husband is lactose intolerant, so using butter in the recipe was not an option. I subbed coconut oil, although vegetable shortening would have worked well too, and used lactose-free milk in the recipe and for brushing the tops of the biscuits.

Sweet Potato Biscuits

Adapted from www.chow.com/recipes/10/886/sweet-potato-biscuits

serves 4-6

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 cup mashed sweet potato
• 3/4 cup whole milk, (I used lactose-free), plus more for brushing
• 1/2 cup coconut oil, chilled
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/4  teaspoon baking soda

Directions

The day before, or at least a few hours before, roast off 2 medium sweet potatoes in a 400 degree oven for 40-45 minutes. Cool completely, remove skins and mash. 

Preheat oven to 425 F. Combine dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar), and set aside. Combine milk, vinegar and mashed sweet potato. Add the chilled coconut oil to the flour and using 2 butter knives, cut the fat into the flour mixture. Work the mixture with the knives until the coconut oil is about the size of peas. 

Add milk mixture to dry ingredients and gently combine. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead gently until the dough comes together (the dough will not be smooth). Dough will be sticky!

Flatten dough with hands or rolling pin to 3/4 thick. Using a floured cookie cutter, or glass, cut the dough into rounds. Place biscuits on parchment lined baking sheet about an 1/2 inch apart. 

Brush tops of biscuits with milk and bake for 12-15 minutes. Serve hot or warm. Biscuits are best the same day.

Sesame Maple Tofu

This one is a breeze of a recipe to pull together on a weeknight. I usually press the tofu during the day while I'm at work, then slice and marinate it for 15 minutes before searing. It's awesome with rice, or noodles, or even just served with an easy salad and a green veg. I love the subtle sweetness provided by the maple syrup. In a pinch you could use agave or honey as a substitute.

An easy weeknight tofu dish that everyone in the family will enjoy.

Sesame Maple Tofu

Adapted from Book of Yum

serves 2-4

Ingredients

• 1 lb of firm tofu 
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for cooking tofu)

Sesame Maple Tofu is great over rice or bean thread noodles.

Directions

Remove tofu from packaging and drain water. Line a plate with paper towels, place tofu on top of paper towels, cover with more paper towels and place a second plate on top of the tofu. Weight the second plate with canned goods or other heavy (stable) items. Press tofu for at least 30 minutes (un-refrigerated is fine), or up to 10 hours refrigerated. I do this before I head out to work. Pressing the tofu removes excess moisture, allowing the tofu to suck up the flavorful marinade.

In a wide dish, mix together marinade ingredients (soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger and garlic). Cut tofu block in half length wise, and diagonally in the center to create 4 large triangles (see pictures). Place tofu in marinade in one layer and marinate between 15-30 minutes. Preheat a nonstick skillet with vegetable oil over medium high heat. Gently dry off the tofu with another paper towel to ensure a good sear. Sear tofu on both sides for 2-3 minutes. Serve hot or warm. The recipe is easily doubled or tripled for a crowd. Just remember not to "crowd" the pan. Sear in batches so you get it right!