Twice-Baked Jalapeno Sweet Potatoes

I've made a dish for years that we love and is always served on our holiday table that's called Sweet Potato Souffle. While not really a souffle, the addition of eggs does add an element that I suppose made that name appropriate at the time. I actually recall that I got the recipe from my friend Nancy when we lived in North Carolina where my children were born and where I spent some of the best years of my life. I know that I could still eat that dish by the spoonfuls but it seems the longer I live in Colorado, the more I want some spice added to sweet dishes so a few years ago I decided to 'heat up' some sweet potatoes for our Thanksgiving side dish and they were so good they've become the standard. That was more than 5 years ago and I included them in a blog post way back then; with the theme of this weeks #FallFest with The Food Network being Sweet Potatoes I thought today perfect timing to share again.

I had originally planned to fill the sweet potato skins with the mixture but these were huge sweet potatoes; way more than a serving size so instead I used these great little casserole dishes I've had forever and way too often forget to use. If you find smaller potatoes, than certainly fill the potato skins and serve in the more traditional 'twice baked' manner.

I noticed as I looked at that old recipe that there is sure a lot of added butter and sugar to a root vegetable that is already so wonderfully sweet. I've cut back on both in this adaptation, using just a touch of maple syrup while adding some sauteed onion and jalapeno peppers. I kept the egg...it adds a bit of structure that I know I would miss. I must say it definitely did what I wanted and kicked it up a notch (thanks Emeril).

These Twice-Baked Jalapeno Sweet Potatoes With Chipotle Streusel were perfect with some oven fried chicken tenders and simple peas; especially because it's not something you have to wait until Thanksgiving to make. Make them now and I'll bet you'll want to serve them again in November!

Check out the list of wonderful dishes from my friends that post with me today; you're bound to find something new and wonderful for this sweet spud!