Ingredients

2lbs bright-orangesweet potatoes, peeled,cut into 2 inch pieces(about 3 medium)

2tablespoonsolive oil

4ouncespancetta, finely diced

1mediumonion, coarsely chopped

1tablespoonred wine vinegar

1/4cupmascarpone cheese or cream cheese(2 oz)

3/4teaspoonsalt

1/4teaspoonfresh ground pepper

Preparation

  • Boil sweet potatoes in large saucepan of boiling salted water over medium-high heat 15-20 minutes or until very tender.
  • Drain sweet potatoes; return to saucepan.
  • Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add pancetta; cook 2-3 minutes or until pancetta begins to brown.
  • Add onion; cook 15-20 minutes or until onions are caramelized, stirring frequently. Adjust heat, if necessary, to prevent onions from browning too quickly.
  • Add vinegar; stir, scraping up browned bits from bottom of skillet.
  • Over very low heat, mash sweet potatoes.
  • Add mascarpone, salt and pepper.
  • Stir in onion mixture.

Note:you can use bacon if you don’t have pancetta available. Just cook the bacon in a medium pot of boiling water 1 minute. Drain and rinse until cool. Blanching helps remove some of the smoky flavor from the bacon.