Sweet Potato Mash with Home Made Baked Beans

I was at the gym today and I observed that some of the staff had to have really quick lunch breaks. Now, I was at the gym, why was I still picking up food vibes? 

Anyway, the point of this story is that even the nice chap manning the front desk had to eat at his desk. I have done it before, and I know how difficult it is trying to eat, type, answer the phone and yes, focus on work while eating. It's really an amazing feat. Most times you have to have food which do not require both hands to eat. That got me thinking about creating a dish which was safe to eat at work, with one hand :D

Just to digress a little, I am a new user on Reddit and have just discovered what the acronym "SFW" stands for. Thank you Urban Dictionary and yes, I am a noob like that.

When I came home I decided to give my idea a whirl and made a late lunch of Sweet Potato Mash and Home Made Baked Beans. Doesn't sound all that elaborate but hey, it's everyday food we are eating here. More importantly, you can pour the beans on top of your smash and eat the whole lot with one spoon and one hand. 

I know my Smash has no butter in it, but that's just the way I roll. As for the beans, yes, of course you can have tinned ones but at least you can control the sugar content if you DIY. Every bit counts I suppose, because I would rather eat cake.

Recipe for Sweet Potato Mash & Home Made Baked Beans

2 big portions/ Prep time: 15 minutes/ Cooking time: 15 minutes

For the Smash

4 Medium Sweet Potatoes (peeled and sliced)

1/4 Onion (diced)

1 Tbsp Oil

2-3 Tbsp water

2 Tbsp Milk

1.5 tsp Salt

Dash of Pepper

Method

1. Bring a pot of water to the boil. Whilst waiting for the water to boil, peel and slice your Sweet Potatoes into 1" wedges.

2. Once the water is boiled, boil the Sweet Potatoes for 10 minutes. Test the potatoes to check that they are cooked - by poking the pieces with a fork. If the potatoes are easily pierced, that means they are cooked.

3. Drain out the water by pouring the Sweet Potatoes into a colander. Transfer to a dish/bowl and mash them. You can use a potato masher or a fork. I like using a slotted spoon.

4. Now, heat up the Oil in a pan and sauté the diced Onion til fragrant. Add in the mashed Sweet Potatoes and season with salt and pepper. Add in some water and the milk - you can always adjust the consistency according to your preference. 

5. Sweet Potatoes done.

For the Home Made Baked Beans

1 tin Cannellini Beans in water (drained)

3 slices of Ham (cut into cubes)

150gm Chestnut Mushrooms (sliced)

1/4 Onion (diced)

1 Tbsp Oil

4 tsp Tomato Paste

1 tsp Sugar

1.5 tsp Salt

Dash of Pepper

Approx 100ml Water

Method

1. Heat up the Oil in a pan and sauté the diced Onion til fragrant, add in the cubed Ham. Continue to sauté, it should be smelling lovely now. Then add in the Chestnut Mushrooms. Cook for about a minute until the mushrooms have browned nicely. 

2. Add in the Cannellini Beans. Stir through the Tomato Paste, and the rest of the seasoning. Add the water if the consistency is too thick. 

3. Let the beans boil for about a minute before removing from heat and dishing out.