Sweet Potato Hash

Chicken sausage – Cooked chicken sausage or turkey sausage is not only lean, but also a quick-cooking time saver. All you have to do is slice it. I used a Cajun flavored chicken sausage, but Italian chicken sausage or any smoked sausage would be delicious too.

Sweet potatoes – Sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients, have a creamy texture, and their mild sweetness pairs beautifully with the savory sausage and spices.

Veggies – Red bell pepper and green onion are commonly used in hash. I love the sweetness of the pepper and mild onion flavor that green onions have. You can replace them with yellow onion if you prefer a stronger onion flavor.

Smoked paprika and garlic powder – Smoked paprika adds a wonderful smoky flavor to the hash. It pairs well with the sweet potatoes and is perfect with the Cajun flavor of the chicken sausage. If you want to use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder use 1-2 cloves and mince them.

Eggs – Eggs add protein to the sweet potato hash. I like to crack them on top of the hash and bake them in the oven until the whites are set, but the yolks are still runny. You could also do a fried egg, poached eggs, or even mix in scrambled eggs.

Hot sauce – If you want to add a spicy component to the sweet potato hash, add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce. I love using Cholula. Sriracha would also taste great!

• Use regular potatoes – Yukon Gold potatoes would be the best variety to use. They hold their shape and won’t break down like Russet potatoes. You also don’t need to peel them.
• Add more veggies – Other veggies that would work well in hash are poblano peppers, zucchini, green chiles, or red onion.
• Add cheese – Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, or spicy Pepper Jack cheese can all be added to the top before the hash goes in the oven.
• Different protein – Chicken sausage can be replaced with cooked steak, ground beef, ground turkey, or shredded rotisserie chicken. For a vegetarian option, add crumbled tofu or black beans.
• Eggs – Instead of baking the eggs in the oven, try topping the sweet potato hash with fried eggs, poached eggs, or stir in scrambled eggs.

Sweet potato hash can be served for any meal, but I especially enjoy it for breakfast or dinner.

Breakfast – For breakfast I like to pair the hash with something sweet. These blueberry muffins and berry fruit salad are a couple of my favorites.

Dinner – For dinner (brinner) I like to make a batch of cornbread muffins and apple and kale salad.

Storage – Store the leftover sweet potato hash in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Freezing – You can freeze the hash (without the eggs) in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Top with fresh eggs.

Reheating – Reheat the leftover hash in the microwave or in a skillet on the stove or in the oven at 350° F. Top the reheated hash with freshly fried eggs.