Carmelized Roasted Sweet Potatoes - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 medium large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
7 -8 tablespoons maple syrup, divided
8 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
3 -4 large onions, peeled, cut in half and very thinly sliced
4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a large bowl add sweet potatoes, 4 tablespoons of maple syrup, 4 tablespoons of the olive oil, 2 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper. Mix to evenly coat the potatoes. Set aside.
In a large skillet over low heat, add 3-4 tablespoons olive oil until heated. Add the sliced onions. Saute, stirring every so often for 20 minutes or until they caramelize. (NOTE: it is very important to saute the onions over low heat, to avoid them from burning). Once they are caramelized, add the remaining 3 to 4 tablespoons maple syrup and the balsamic vinegar. Stir to mix flavors. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Continue sauteing until onions are dark golden brown and fully caramelized, about 5-10 minutes more. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if pan becomes dry. (Refer to Tidbit below).
Arrange sweet potatoes on a sheet tray. Roast for about 25 to 30 minutes. Mid-way through cooking, lift and turn-over potatoes to brown evenly. Dot caramelized onions over the roasted sweet potato cubes. With a spatula, lift and turn-over potatoes again to evenly distribute onion mixture. Roast for an additional 5 - 8 minutes until potatoes are cooked through and slightly browned. Taste for seasoning.
Transfer to serving tray and enjoy!
Tidbit: Note that onions will cook down alot; decreasing the volume. Depending on the power of your stove top and the amount of onions you have in the pan, it may take a longer time for onions to be fully carmelized. They should be dark (not burned) and cooked way down.
Another tidbit: If not using freshly ground pepper in this recipe, it makes a big enough difference. The store prepared ground doesn't have as much depth.