Grilled Hassleback Sweet Potatoes With Molasses Nutmeg Butter Food

GRILLED HASSLEBACK SWEET POTATOES WITH MOLASSES-NUTMEG BUTTER

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water, add 1 tablespoon kosher salt, bring to a boil and cook until a paring knife inserted into the center of the potatoes meets with some resistance. (Do not cook through.) Drain and let cool slightly.
• Mix together the butter, molasses, cilantro, orange zest and nutmeg and season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use
• Heat a charcoal or gas grill to medium high for indirect grilling.
• Cut off a thin slice of each potato lengthwise to create an even base for the potato to rest on. Slice off the ends of each potato. Rest each potato between two chopsticks or wooden spoons placed lengthwise along the potato (to act as a stop for the knife) and carefully cut vertical slits about every 1/8 inch.
• Brush the potatoes with the canola oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the potatoes on the cooler side of the grill, cover and cook until lightly golden and cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Place the potatoes on a platter and immediately smear the tops with the butter mixture, making sure it melts into the cuts. Heat the rum in a small saucepan, flambe and pour over the potatoes. Serve immediately.

GARLICKY HASSELBACK SWEET POTATOES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Pour 1 tablespoon olive oil into a large cast-iron skillet, swirl it so it coats the whole pan, then put it in the oven while you cut the potatoes.
• Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise, place cut side down on a cutting board, then use a knife to make 1/8-inch slices on a slight bias from the top to the bottom of the potato half. Cut almost all of the way through the potato, stopping before you reach the bottom. (A serrated knife makes the job easier. You can also lay chopsticks down on either side of the potato to keep the knife from slipping through the potato.)
• Carefully remove the skillet from the oven and nestle the sweet potato halves inside in a single layer. Drizzle the top of each with 1/2 teaspoon olive oil, sprinkle with salt, then bake for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the butter to a small pot with 1 teaspoon salt. Grate the garlic into the pot with a microplane, then heat over low until the butter is melted.
• Take the sweet potatoes out of the oven and, keeping in mind that the pan is hot, use a fork or offset spatula to gently pry the slices apart so that there's more room between each one. Use a brush to generously coat the potatoes with garlic butter (the more you get inside the slices, the better). Reserve any excess.
• Bake for an additional 10 minutes. For extra crisp edges, broil potatoes for 2 to 4 minutes, until the ruffles are charred. Brush with reserved garlic butter, and serve.