Mashed Sweet Potatoes With Caramelized Onion And Pancetta - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 lbs bright-orange sweet potatoes, peeled,cut into 2 inch pieces (about 3 medium)
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 ounces pancetta, finely diced
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/4 cup mascarpone cheese or 1/4 cup cream cheese (2 oz)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Preparation

Boil sweet potatoes in large saucepan of boiling salted water over medium-high heat 15-20 minutes or until very tender.
Drain sweet potatoes; return to saucepan.
Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet over medium heat until hot.
Add pancetta; cook 2-3 minutes or until pancetta begins to brown.
Add onion; cook 15-20 minutes or until onions are caramelized, stirring frequently.
Adjust heat, if necessary, to prevent onions from browning too quickly.
Add vinegar; stir, scraping up browned bits from bottom of skillet.
Over very low heat, mash sweet potatoes.
Add mascarpone, salt and pepper.
Stir in onion mixture.
*Noteyou can use bacon if you don't have pancetta available.
Just cook the bacon in a medium pot of boiling water 1 minute.
Drain and rinse until cool.
Blanching helps remove some of the smoky flavor from the bacon.