Cocoa powder and sweet potatoes might sound like an unexpected combination, but this recipe proves they’re actually a match made in heaven. Instead of doubling down on sweetness, the cocoa powder acts as a foil, taming the candied character of the root vegetable. Immediately adding the sesame seeds and cocoa powder to sizzling hot brown butter does double duty in this recipe. First, it lightly toasts the sesame seeds, infusing the butter with a deep nutty flavor. It also intensifies the chocolate’s depth by drawing out the flavor and unlocking even more of its aromas. The unique combination creates a savory, bittersweet compound butter that melts over the sweet potatoes, coating them in a glossy, nutty sheen. Topped with a tangle of curled scallions, this playful and unexpected side dish might just steal the show.
