Best Ways To Cook Yams For Savory and Sweet Delights

Choosing The Best Yams For Cooking

Choosing the best yams for cooking is the primary step for the best result. It involves considering a few key factors, have a look:

1. Skin Condition

For savory and delightful results, you need to look for yams with smooth, unblemished skin. You need to avoid any that have cuts, bruises, or mold spots. The skin should be free from wrinkles, which might indicate that the yam is old or has been stored improperly.

2. Firmness

You can gently squeeze the yam. It should feel firm and solid, with no soft spots. Soft spots can be a sign of rot or decay.

3. Size and Shape

Depending on your cooking needs, you should select yams that are relatively uniform in size, as this will help them cook evenly. Similarly, larger yams may have a more fibrous texture, while smaller ones tend to be sweeter and more tender.

4. Weight

A good yam will feel heavy for its size. This generally indicates that it has a high moisture content and is fresh. So, it's better to choose the one with a heavy size.

5. Variety

There are different types of yams, such as Japanese yams, white yams, and garnet yams. So, you need to choose a variety that suits your recipe. For instance, Japanese yams are sweeter and have a drier texture, making them great for roasting or baking, while garnet yams are moist and starchy, ideal for mashing.

By considering these factors, you can select the best yams for your cooking needs. Just consider every tip for the best outcome.

How To Cook Yams By Roasting?

Roasting is one of the best and easiest ways of cooking yams for a savory and delightful dish. You need to collect the following ingredients to cook by this method:

Ingredients

• 2 pounds (about 4 medium) yams
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
• Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for garnish (optional)

Instructions

After collecting all the required ingredients in the given proportion, you need to start roasting by following the steps below:

1. First of all, you need to preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). The right temperature plays a major role in even cooking and retaining the original taste.
2. After that, you need to prepare the yams. Kindly wash the yams thoroughly and peel them if desired. Then, you need to cut the yams into 1-inch cubes for even cooking. You can also opt for the whole yams.
3. Right after that, you need to season the yams. Place the yam (whole or cubes) in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika if using. Now, you need to toss everything together to ensure the yams are evenly coated.
4. For arranging on a baking sheet, you should spread the seasoned yam in a single layer on a baking sheet. Make sure the yams are not overcrowded to allow them to roast properly.
5. After that, you have to place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for 25-30 minutes, turning the yams halfway through to ensure even browning. They should be tender on the inside and slightly crispy on the edges when done.
6. Then, gently remove the yams from the oven and garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

How To Cook Yams By Boiling Method?

Boiling is probably the most easy and quick method of cooking yams that requires the minimum ingredients. Yes, you can do this method in a few simple steps, have a look:

Ingredients

Boiling yams is an easy task that needs just a few ingredients such as:

• 2 pounds (about 4 medium) yams
• Water (enough to cover the yams)
• 1 teaspoon salt (optional)

Instructions

After collecting the above ingredients you need to start the process by following the steps below:

1. Wash the yams thoroughly. Then, peel them if desired, and cut them into even-sized pieces (about 1 to 2 inches thick) to ensure they cook evenly. You can also boil them whole without cutting them.
2. To boil the water, you need to fill a large pot with enough water to cover the yams completely. Then, add the salt if using, then bring the water to a boil over high heat.
3. Once the water is boiling, carefully add the yam pieces to the pot. then, you have to reduce the heat to medium and let the yams cook for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
4. Once the yams are tender, you can carefully drain them using a colander. If they are not tender or require more cooking, then you can let them boil for a few minutes more.
5. If done, you can serve them hot. The boiled yams can be served as is or mashed, depending on your preference. They make a great side dish or can be used in recipes that call for cooked yams.

How To Cook Yams By Steaming?

Steaming is considered the best method for cooking as it helps maintain the high nutritional value. It is more healthier than boiling as per the study. To cook yams by steaming method, you can follow the given steps:

Ingredients

First of all, you need to collect the following ingredients with the proper measure:

• 2 pounds (about 4 medium) yams
• Water (for steaming)
• 1 teaspoon salt (optional)

Instructions

1. First, you should clean the yams thoroughly. Then, peel them if desired, and cut them into even-sized pieces, about 1 to 2 inches thick, for even cooking. You can also opt for whole yams if the size is small.
2. Then, you need to prepare the steamer. For that, you should fill a pot with about 1-2 inches of water and place a steamer basket or insert it over the water, ensuring that the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the steamer basket. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.
3. Once the water is boiling, you can place the yam in the steamer basket. Then, sprinkle with salt if desired. Cover the pot with a lid, reduce the heat to medium, and steam the yams for 20-25 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
4. After 20-25 minutes, it's time to check the yams for doneness by poking them with a fork. If they are soft and easily pierced, they are ready. If not, you need to steam for a few more minutes.
5. Finally, you can remove the yams from the steamer and serve them hot. They can be enjoyed as a side dish or used in other recipes.

How To Cook Yams By Frying?

Frying is another best method for cooking yams retaining both taste and nutrition. Here are the required ingredients you need for cooking yams, have a look:

Ingredients

• 2 pounds (about 4 medium) yams
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika or cayenne pepper (optional for a spicy kick)

Instructions

After collecting all the required ingredients, you can start by following the steps below:

1. You can wash the yams thoroughly and peel them. After that, you can cut them into thin slices or sticks, similar to French fries. It's best to aim for uniform thickness so they cook evenly.
2. Then, take a large bowl, and toss the yam slices with salt, black pepper, and paprika or cayenne pepper if you are using it. Make sure each piece is well-seasoned.
3. In a large skillet or frying pan, you need to heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. You will know it’s ready when a small piece of yam sizzles upon contact.
4. After that, you need to carefully add the yam slices to the hot oil in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Then, kindly fry each batch for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the yams are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
5. Once fried, you should remove the yams from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.

How To Cook Yams By Grilling?

Grilling is also the best method for savory and delightful outcomes while cooking yams. Here is the step-by-step guidance you need to know:

Ingredients

• 2 pounds (about 4 medium) yams
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional for a smoky flavor)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional)
• Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. First of all, you need to wash the yams thoroughly. Then, peel them if desired, and slice them into 1/2-inch thick rounds or wedges. Interestingly, cutting them evenly ensures the grill at the same rate.
2. After that, kindly place the yam slices in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika if using. Then, you can toss the yams to coat them evenly with the seasoning.
3. Now, it's time to preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 200°C). If you are using a charcoal grill, just make sure the coals are ashed over and evenly spread.
4. Then, you need to place the yam slices directly on the grill grates. Cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until they develop nice grill marks and are tender inside. However, you need to be careful not to move them too much, as this will prevent good grill marks from forming.
5. If you are using, gently squeeze fresh lemon juice over the yams during the last minute of grilling. This gives the yams a bright, tangy flavor.
6. Finally, you can remove the grilled yams from the grill and garnish with fresh herbs if desired. Then, serve them hot as a side dish or a main component of a grilled meal.

Additional Tips

You need to consider some of teh best tips to make your yam cooking effective. Here are the tips, check out:

1. Depending on the recipe, you can select the right type of yam. For roasting or grilling, it's quite better to choose firmer varieties. For mashing or boiling, just go for the softer yams.

2. You should cut yams into uniform pieces for even cooking. Whether you are roasting, boiling, or grilling, consistent sizes help prevent some pieces from being undercooked while others are overcooked.

3. When roasting or frying, you should spread the yam pieces in a single layer. Overcrowding literally traps steam, leading to soggy yams instead of crispy, caramelized ones.

4. If you want extra-crispy roasted or fried yams, then it's better to consider parboiling them for a few minutes first. This helps create a crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender.

5. Interestingly, yams have a naturally sweet flavor, so don’t be afraid to balance this with savory seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, or even herbs like rosemary and thyme.

6. Yams can overcook quickly, becoming mushy. So, you can check for doneness by piercing them with a fork; they should be tender but not falling apart.

7. You can do experiment with various cooking methods such as boiling, steaming, grilling, frying, or roasting in order to discover new textures and flavors.

8. Yams pair well with both sweet (cinnamon, honey, brown sugar) and savory (butter, herbs, spices) toppings. So, you can mix them and match them to find your favorite combination.

9. Also, it is advised to use high heat for roasting. For beautifully caramelized roasted yams, you can use a high oven temperature (around 400°F/200°C) and ensure they are well-coated in oil.

Serving Suggestions

It is a better idea to consume the cooked yams fresh and hot in its original form. However, you can also serve them with side dishes such as:

1. Mashed Yams

You should try mashed yams that fit perfectly for breakfast, snacks, or meals. Kindly mash cooked yams with butter, cream, or milk, and seasonings like salt and pepper. This makes a creamy and comforting side dish, you will love it.

2. Stuffed Yams

To make your yams more exciting and fun, you must stuff them with other foods. You need to scoop out the flesh of cooked yams, mix them with cheese, herbs, or cooked meats, and then return the mixture to the skins for a hearty, stuffed dish.

3. Yam Salad

Have you ever tried yam salad? Well, it is a healthy and tasty bliss, that will make you fuller with its nutritional contents. You need to cut cooked yams and toss them with greens, nuts, and a vinaigrette for a nutritious and flavorful salad. This can impress your guests too.

4. Yam Soup

For a healthier twist, you can blend cooked yams with vegetable or chicken broth and seasonings. This creates a creamy yam soup. After that, garnish with fresh herbs or a swirl of cream and enjoy the soup bliss.

5. Yam Tacos

It is also the best idea to use cooked yams as a filling for tacos or wraps, combined with other ingredients like beans, avocado, and salsa.