Japanese Sweet Potato Pie

Ingredients

• 1 Japanese sweet potato (About 7 oz; peeled and cut into evenly sized pieces)
• 1 tbsp Unsalted butter
• 4 tbsp Soy milk
• Salt (A pinch, to taste)
• 1 package Puff pastry sheets (4 sheets, each 10 × 18 cm / 4 × 7 inches; use store-bought sheets)
• 1 Egg yolk (For the egg wash)

Steps

1. 1

   Peel the Japanese sweet potato and cut it into evenly sized pieces. Place the pieces in a bowl, add enough water to cover them, and soak for 5 minutes.

2. 2

   Steam or boil the sweet potato pieces for about 5–7 minutes, or until they become tender.

3. 3

   Transfer the cooked sweet potato to a bowl. Mash it until smooth with a fork or potato masher.

4. 4

   Add the butter, soy milk, and a pinch of salt to the mashed sweet potato. Mix thoroughly until the filling is smooth and well combined.

5. 5

   Cut each puff pastry sheet in half to create square pieces. Place 1 tablespoon of sweet potato filling in the center of each square.

6. 6

   Fold each pastry square into a triangle. Press the edges firmly with a fork to seal the filling inside.

7. 7

   Make a few small slits in the top of each pastry to allow steam to escape during baking. Repeat with the remaining pastry sheets and filling.

8. 8

   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). In a small bowl, beat the egg yolk.

9. 9

   Use a pastry brush to lightly coat the tops of the assembled pies with the beaten egg yolk.

10. 10

    Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Arrange the pies on the lined sheet.

11. 11

    Bake in the preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 15–18 minutes, until the pies are golden brown and the crust is flaky.

12. 12

    Let the pies cool before serving.

Notes

Leftovers can be wrapped and refrigerated for 2–3 days, then reheated in the microwave or oven. To freeze, cool completely, wrap tightly in plastic, and freeze for up to 1 month; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. If the sweet potato is not sweet enough, the filling can be sweetened with sugar, honey, or maple syrup to taste. Cream or coconut milk can be added for a richer filling, and vanilla extract, cinnamon, or nutmeg can be used for additional flavor.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• snack
• Japanese-inspired
• baked
• vegetarian
• handheld
• make-ahead