(Family Features) If you feel like it’s a struggle to get the entire family together for a meal, it might be time to put fun back on the menu. A little creativity and a few favorite ingredients are all it takes to bring back family mealtime and spend precious moments at the table.

These Individual Sweetpotato Breakfast Pizzas are a perfect way to start a weekend morning, offering a delicious invitation to loved ones to join you in the kitchen. Equal parts sweet, savory and nutritious, you can enjoy seeing smiles on their faces while feeling good about what you’re serving them.

Providing just the right touch of sweetness are North Carolina Sweetpotatoes, one of the most versatile vegetables in the produce department. They’re easy to add to a variety of recipes – even breakfast pizza – to enhance flavor and nutrition. Try them on the stove, baked, microwaved, grilled, slow-cooked or air-fried for quick and easy options that are a breeze in the kitchen.

Spelled as one word to avoid confusion with the white potato (a distinctly different species), sweetpotatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, all of which are good for overall health and may help prevent disease. In fact, they’re even considered a “diabetes superfood” by the American Diabetes Association. As a natural sweetener, they give recipes that sweet flavor you crave without the added sugar.

Whether they become your favorite oft-used ingredient or you stock up on the abundant veggie, sweetpotatoes also boast a long shelf-life – up to 4 weeks if stored properly in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat sources – meaning you can buy in bulk without worrying about waste.

Find more ways to cook with sweetpotatoes by visiting ncsweetpotatoes.com.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Individual Sweetpotato Breakfast Pizzas
Recipe courtesy of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission
Servings: 4

• 4          medium North Carolina sweetpotatoes (about 2 pounds), divided
• 1          tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon, olive oil, divided
• 1/4       teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4       teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4       teaspoon paprika
• 1/8       teaspoon cayenne pepper
• kosher salt, to taste
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• all-purpose flour, for rolling out dough
• 1          pound whole-wheat pizza dough at room temperature, divided into four equal portions (4 ounces each)
• 1          cup freshly shredded Gouda cheese
• 4          large eggs
• 1/4       cup diced chives

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Place 1 pound sweetpotatoes directly on rack and bake until soft, about 1 hour. Remove from oven and let cool 5-10 minutes. Peel and puree flesh until smooth; reserve 1 cup.
2. Increase oven heat to 450 F. Peel remaining sweetpotatoes and dice into 1/2-inch pieces. Toss 2 cups diced sweetpotatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne and salt and pepper, to taste; place in even layer on baking sheet. Roast until softened but not crisp, 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway. Remove from oven.
3. Lightly flour clean, flat work surface. Roll each ball of dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness (about 7 inches diameter).
4. With remaining oil, lightly coat rimless baking sheet. Transfer rolled out dough to baking sheet.
5. Spread pureed sweetpotato over surface of each dough round, about 1/4 cup each, leaving about 1/2-inch border. Top each with 1/4 cup shredded Gouda. Add 1/2 cup roasted sweetpotato cubes, leaving open space in center of pizzas.
6. Carefully crack one egg into center of each pizza; bake 15 minutes until crusts are golden brown on bottom, cheese is melted and egg whites are fully set. Carefully remove pizzas from oven.
7. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Top each pizza with 1 tablespoon diced chives.

SOURCE:
North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission

(Family Features) Nothing says spring like a fish fry with the catch of the day. This Pan-Fried Catfish recipe is perfect for enjoying flaky fillets without the mess. Find more springtime favorites by visiting Culinary.net.

Pan-Fried Catfish

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6

• 1/3 cup flour
• 2 tablespoons mesquite seasoning (or seasoning of choice, such as lemon pepper)
• 1 stick butter
• 1/4 cup avocado oil (or oil of choice)
• 1-2 pounds thawed catfish fillets (1/2 pound each)
• cooked rice, for serving

1. In pie dish, mix flour and seasoning.
2. In skillet over medium heat, melt butter and add oil. Coat fish fillets in flour mixture on both sides. Place fish in skillet and fry 5 minutes then flip and fry 5 minutes.
3. Place fish on paper towel to drain excess oil then serve with rice.

Tip: If skillet is large enough, fry two fillets at once. If frying more than four fillets, discard butter and avocado oil then start fresh before frying more.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

Spring is widely considered a season of rejuvenation. The warmer post-winter air that is a hallmark of spring certainly adds an extra hop to the steps of millions of people each year, but a number of notable events also lend a festive feel to this beloved time of year.

This this week’s On The Table finds some colorful selections to make for a Spring brunch or tips to plan a college hoops watching party.

Find it in your Thursday Bowie News.