Ontrac5’s Christian Petracca’s Loaded Sweet Potato Bowl with Sticky Maple Pork

For the Sweet Potato Base

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, cut into 2-3 cm cubes
• 1½ tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• ½ tbsp garlic powder
• ¾ tsp salt
• 1–2 tsp pure maple syrup

For the Sticky Maple Pork

• 1.1 lb lean pork mince
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• salt to taste
• black pepper to taste
• 1½ tbsp tomato paste
• 2½ tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tbsp water

For the Tomato & Red Onion Salsa

• 1½ cups diced ripe tomatoes
• 20 g red onion, finely diced
• 8 g fresh parsley, chopped
• 15 ml olive oil
• 5 ml lemon juice
• pinch of salt

For the Avocado Yoghurt Sauce

• 1 ripe avocado
• ½ cup greek yoghurt
• 8 g fresh parsley
• 4 g fresh coriander
• 15 ml olive oil
• 15 ml lemon juice
• 30 ml water
• 1–1.5 g salt

For the Sweet Potato Base

1. Place sweet potato cubes in a large bowl.
2. Add olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder and salt. Toss well until evenly coated.
3. Spread in the air fryer basket in a single layer (cook in batches if needed).
4. Air fry at 200°C for 18–22 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden on the outside and soft in the centre.
5. Once cooked, drizzle with 1–2 tsp Pure Canadian maple syrup and toss gently.

For the Sticky Maple Pork

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium–high heat.
2. Add pork mince. Break it up with a spoon and let it sit undisturbed for 1–2 minutes at a time to develop colour.
3. Cook for 6–8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
4. Add garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen flavour.
6. Add maple syrup and water. Stir and cook for 1–2 minutes until glossy and slightly sticky. Remove from heat.

For the Tomato & Red Onion Salsa

1. Mix everything in a bowl and set aside.

For the Avocado Yoghurt Sauce

1. Using a blender, blend everything until smooth and pourable. Add a little more water if needed.

To Serve

1. Divide sweet potatoes between bowl
2. Spoon over the sticky maple pork.
3. Add a generous scoop of tomato salsa.
4. Drizzle with avocado yoghurt sauce.
5. Finish with a tiny extra drizzle of maple syrup and extra herbs if you like.