Roast chicken legs with sweet potatoes : Tray-bake recipe

As this recipe suggestion contains sweet potatoes I first share a little about this vegetable.

Sweet potatoes - did you know that ...
They are native to Central and South America and are one of the oldest vegetables known to man. They have been consumed since prehistoric times as evidenced by sweet potato relics dating back 10,000 years that have been discovered in Peruvian caves.

Christopher Columbus brought sweet potatoes to Europe after his first voyage to the New World in 1492. By the 16th century, they were brought to the Philippines by Spanish explorers and to Africa, India, Indonesia and southern Asia by the Portuguese. Around this same time, sweet potatoes began to be cultivated in the southern United States, where they still remain a staple food in the traditional cuisine.

Worldwide, about 80 million tons of sweet potatoes are grown in China each year, with Africa producing about 14 million tons, Central and South America about 2 million, and the U.S. about 1 million tons. Within the U.S., over half of all commercially grown sweet potatoes come from the southern states (especially North Carolina).

Buying and storing sweet potatoes
Choose sweet potatoes that are firm and do not have any cracks, bruises or soft spots. Avoid those that are displayed in the refrigerated section of the produce department since cold temperature negatively alters their taste.

Sweet potatoes should be stored in a cool, dark and well-ventilated place, where they will keep fresh for up to ten days. Ideally, they should be kept out of the refrigerator in a cool, dry, dark place not above 60°F /15°C, which would fit the characteristics of a root cellar. Yet since most people don't have root cellars, it's best to keep your sweet potatoes loose (not in a plastic bag, but if desired, a brown paper bag with multiple air holes punched in it will work) and storing them in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated cupboard away from sources of excess heat (like the stove).

Nutritional Profile
Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene). They are also a very good source of vitamin C, manganese, copper, pantothenic acid and vitamin B6. Additionally, they are a good source of potassium, dietary fibre, niacin, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and phosphorus.

Blood Sugar Impact
The carbohydrate content in sweet potatoes, (and white potatoes), will result in a blood sugar impact in any serving size and many diabetics choose not to eat them. However, sweet potatoes are naturally more nutrient-dense; so if you do choose to eat them they could be the better option between the two!

Are sweet potatoes safe for everyone to eat?
On the whole, sweet potatoes are an excellent addition to a balanced diet and appear to be safe for most people, with very few reported cases of allergy. However, they do contain compounds called oxalates, which bind calcium and other minerals, inhibiting their absorption. Too many oxalates in the diet may cause kidney stones. If you have existing kidney stones or are at high risk of developing them, you should minimise your consumption of high-oxalate foods.

More about sweet potatoes here and here

Now onto the recipe

You may like to try this chicken leg tray-bake for maximum flavour, minimum fuss! Roast everything in one tin with some herbs and garlic and you've got a very easy meal for four, but you can of course adjust ingredients as necessary.

Ingredients
Serves Four
4 garlic cloves, grated
3 tbsp vegetable oil
pinch dried mixed herbs
2–3 large sweet potatoes, cut into chips
2 red onions, cut into wedges
4 chicken legs
To serve
150g/5½oz natural yogurt
1 tsp hot sauce (optional)

Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6. Mix the garlic, oil and mixed herbs in a large bowl. Set aside a little of the herby oil for the chicken. Combine the sweet potatoes and onions in the large bowl with the herby oil, toss to coat then tip into a large roasting tray.
2. Slather (smear liberally) the chicken in the remaining herby oil and place on top of sweet potatoes and onions. Roast in the oven for 40 minutes or until cooked through. Give the tray a shake half way through to make sure the sweet potato doesn’t stick to the roasting tray. The chicken is cooked if the juices run clear when a skewer is inserted into the thickest part of the thigh.
3. Remove the tray from the oven. Leave it to rest for 10 minutes for the chicken to become tender.
4. Meanwhile, mix together the yogurt and (optional) hot sauce. Serve the chicken and vegetables with the yogurt on top.

Recipe idea seen here

Have you tried ...

'Lokanta Stew' : a colourful vegan, roasted vegetable dish : see it here

~enjoy your day~

Dear reader, you will find a variety of recipe ideas and articles within this blog, but please note, not all may be suitable for you. Likes/dislikes and most importantly any food allergies, or underlying health issues must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan