The Tangy Condiment You Won't Be Able To Resist Drizzling On Your Sweet Potatoes

Tangy and sweet have always had a heart-fluttering love affair in the culinary world. For instance, giving your candy apple a tangy touch with Mexican seasoning Tajín works beautifully (hey, don't knock it until you've tried it). But if we're talking about something less unconventional, your sweet potatoes deserve a feisty drizzle of hot honey mustard. When you roast sweet potatoes, that's even better, as this process allows for the development of the Maillard reaction, boosting the overall caramelization. Roasting also makes the potatoes more tender, while producing a more mouthwatering result. You'll have a smorgasbord of notes by the end of it: A vibrant soirée of sweet and tangy, a gentle kick of spice, and a whisper of smokiness waltzing on your tongue.

This heaven-sent dish can even punctuate a satisfying entree or serve as a versatile ingredient for meal prepping, so you can avoid the endless tug-o'-war of ordering out or cooking at home. Pre-cook your sweet potatoes, drizzle with hot honey mustard, and then simply heat up the leftovers. You could even add hot honey mustard to other savory favorites, such as pizza, salad, and steak. 

Making hot honey mustard is easy. You can make it with Dijon mustard, vinegar (apple cider or white wine), and of course, hot honey — which is usually just honey and peppers. But there are other approaches to this, too, so you don't have to stick to just these ingredients. You can use plain honey, adding hot sauce to get that fiery kick, as well as ground mustard for added sharpness with a pleasant heat. You could mix all your preferred ingredients by hand or acquire help from a blender. The preferred consistency should be velvety, not clumpy or watery, so don't stop mixing until you reach peak creaminess.

For an even better result, season the sweet potatoes beforehand. The ubiquitous salt and black pepper shouldn't be forgotten, as salt can make the sweet potatoes' natural flavors shine, while black pepper can instill an aromatic depth. Other worthy companions are garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika for a nice layered finish. Albeit controversial, you could even toss in a teaspoon of MSG as an umami-boosting ingredient. It's quite often misunderstood, but don't worry, it's safe to use in moderation.