Honey-Glazed Walnut-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

These Honey-Glazed Walnut-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors, perfect for a nutritious and satisfying dish. The combination of tender sweet potatoes, crunchy walnuts, a hint of honey, and a touch of cinnamon creates a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. It’s an excellent choice for a side dish or even a light vegetarian main course.

Ingredients:

* 4 medium sweet potatoes* 1 cup chopped walnuts* 2 tablespoons honey* 2 tablespoons melted butter* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon* 1/2 teaspoon salt* 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper* Fresh thyme leaves, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. **Preheat** your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.

2. **Wash** and dry the sweet potatoes thoroughly. Pierce each sweet potato several times with a fork.

3. **Bake** the sweet potatoes: Place the sweet potatoes on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 45-60 minutes, or until they are tender and a fork can easily pierce through them. The baking time may vary depending on the size of the sweet potatoes.

4. **Prepare** the walnut stuffing: While the sweet potatoes are baking, heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped walnuts and toast them for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat.

5. **Combine** the toasted walnuts: In a mixing bowl, combine the toasted walnuts, honey, melted butter, ground cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until the walnuts are well-coated with the honey mixture.

6. **Cut** the baked sweet potatoes: Once the sweet potatoes are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Slice each sweet potato lengthwise down the middle and carefully spoon out a portion of the flesh to create a small cavity.

7. **Stuff** the sweet potatoes with the walnut mixture: Divide the walnut mixture evenly among the sweet potatoes, stuffing it into the cavities.

8. **Return** the stuffed sweet potatoes to the oven: Place the stuffed sweet potatoes back on the baking sheet and return them to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes, allowing the honey glaze to caramelize slightly.

9. **Serve**: Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves if desired.

Enjoy your delicious Honey-Glazed Walnut-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes as a comforting and wholesome dish that's sure to impress!