Asian-style baked onions, potatoes and sweet potatoes

Name: Asian-style baked onions, potatoes and sweet potatoes
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: Serves 6
Cuisine: chinese
Ingredients: 1 tsp coriander seeds; 1 tsp Sichuan pepper (or dry green or black peppercorns); 1 tsp kalonji black onion seed (aka nigella); 2 'flowers' star anise; a large pinch sea salt; 2 large Spanish onions peeled; 3 large, not-too-floury potatoes such as Desirée, unpeeled; 2 large sweet potatoes peeled; 1 tbsp groundnut oil or vegetable oil; 2 tbsp tamari or light soy sauce (tamari is a thick soy sauce made with rice); 1 tbsp groundnut oil or vegetable oil; fresh lime or lemon juice to serve (optional)

4.35 (6)

⏱ 80 mins 🍽 Serves 6 🌶 chinese ✅ Easy 🏷 Side dish

This Chinese-inspired recipe offers a new way to prepare vegetables. Onions, potatoes and sweet potatoes are tossed in a freshly ground spice mix, then baked until tender and slightly charred. A simple tamari glaze adds a savoury finish, with an optional squeeze of citrus for brightness. It's a substantial and aromatic side dish perfect for lunch or supper, serving six people.

Ingredients

1 tsp coriander seeds
1 tsp Sichuan pepper (or dry green or black peppercorns)
1 tsp kalonji black onion seed (aka nigella)
2 'flowers' star anise
a large pinch sea salt
2 large Spanish onions peeled
3 large, not-too-floury potatoes such as Desirée, unpeeled
2 large sweet potatoes peeled
1 tbsp groundnut oil or vegetable oil
2 tbsp tamari or light soy sauce (tamari is a thick soy sauce made with rice)
1 tbsp groundnut oil or vegetable oil
fresh lime or lemon juice to serve (optional)

Method

Set your oven to 220C/Gas 7/fan oven 200C. Place the coriander seeds, Sichuan pepper, kalonji, star anise and sea salt into a small electric spice grinder or use a pestle and mortar. Grind them to a powder, not worrying about larger coriander husks. Transfer the ground spices to a very large mixing bowl.
Slice the onions into sixths, keeping a bit of the root end intact so the layers hold. Cut the regular potatoes into six lengthways segments. For slender sweet potatoes, quarter them lengthways. if they are bulky, cut them into sixths. Add all the cut vegetables to the bowl with the spices, pour in 1 tbsp of oil and toss everything thoroughly with your hands.
Lightly oil your large oven tray or one or two baking trays. Arrange the vegetables in a single layer and bake for 25 minutes. While they bake, mix the tamari and 1 tbsp of oil with 4 tablespoons of cold water in a small jug. Take the tray from the oven, brush the vegetables with the glaze and return to bake for another 20-30 minutes until tender and slightly charred. A small squeeze of lime or lemon juice can be added for extra zest, though the vegetables are delicious either way.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories201 kcal

Fat5 g

Saturates1 g

Carbs38 g

Fibre4 g

Protein4 g

Sodium532 mg

Salt1 g

Recipe details

Skill levelEasy

CategorySide dish

Cuisinechinese

DietVegetarian