Sweet Potato Salad with Spiced Yogurt Dressing

This refreshing side dish is the perfect contribution to your summer barbecue. A lighter, more flavorful take on the traditional potato salad, this recipe fuses a combination of sweet potatoes, fresh veggies, and a green chile kick. Tossed with a curried mango-peach yogurt dressing, this salad will bring out the spice in any fresh tropical-inspired dish. 

The total alotted time is about an hour, but it is a great dish to make ahead of time. Also, the majority of the time is dedicated to baking the sweet potatoes, which adds a sweet, nutty flavor to the salad, but the potatoes can be boiled alternatively. This dish can be served hot or cold, and tastes even better the next day!

Ingredients:

Sweet Potato Salad:

2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 3 large)

1 large red bell pepper, chopped

1/4 cup red onion, chopped

3 celery stalks, chopped

1 fresh green chile, seeded and chopped

1 cup Spiced Fruity Yogurt Dressing

Spiced Yogurt Dressing:

3 tablespoons of Mango-Peach Chutney

3/4 cup of plain low-fat yogurt

1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder

2 teaspoons red onion, chopped

1/2 lime, juice

Directions: Serves 6

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Prepare pieces of tinfoil for however many sweet potatoes you're using (I used 3 large ones). Wash the sweet potatoes and cover them in foil. Pierce the foil, through the skin, with a fork, 5 or 6 times per potato. Bake for 45-60 minutes, until soft. 

2. While the sweet potatoes are baking, combine the pepper, onion, celery, and chile in a large bowl. Set aside.

3. To prepare the dressing, combine all ingredients in a small bowl, adding the lime juice last. Cool in the refrigerator. 

4. Once the sweet potatoes are done baking, let them cool on a wire rack until they are chilled enough to handle. Once cool, remove the skin from each potato and cut into cubes. 

5. Add the sweet potatoes to the large bowl and toss all ingredients. 

6. When ready to serve, coat and toss the salad in the yogurt dressing. Serve right away, or store in a refrigerated airtight container. Taste the flavor!