Sweet Potato Bowls with Spiced Lamb and Mushrooms

A hearty and flavorful bowl featuring tender steamed sweet potatoes topped with spiced ground lamb, wild mushrooms, and pickled fennel and onions. Finished with a tangy yogurt sauce and fresh mint for a perfect balance of warm, tangy, and fresh flavors.

2 servings
54 min

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 lb sweet potato
  • ½ bulb fennel
  • ½ small red onion
  • ¼ cup vinegar
  • 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ lb ground lamb
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp Aleppo-style pepper
  • 8 oz wild mushrooms
  • ½ cup plain whole-milk yogurt
  • 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ cup mint leaves

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Fill a large pot with about 1" water; season with a big pinch of salt. Set a steamer basket in pot. Cover pot and bring water to a boil. Add potato, cover, and steam until fork-tender, 20-25 minutes.

    25 min

  2. 2.

    Meanwhile, toss sliced fennel, onion, vinegar, and 1/4 tsp. salt in a medium bowl. Let sit, tossing occasionally, at least 10 minutes and up to 30 minutes.

    10 min

  3. 3.

    Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add lamb, cumin, cinnamon, 1 tsp. pepper, and 1/2 tsp. salt and press into an even layer. Cook, undisturbed, until well browned on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Break up into pieces with a spatula and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 1-2 minutes. Push mixture to one side of skillet and add mushrooms in an even layer; season with salt. Cook, undisturbed, until beginning to brown and soften, 3 minutes, then stir together with lamb mixture. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are golden brown, about 2 minutes more.

    12 min

  4. 4.

    Whisk yogurt, lemon juice, and remaining 1 Tbsp. oil and 1/4 tsp. salt in a small bowl.

    2 min

  5. 5.

    Divide potato halves between bowls and mash slightly with a fork. Top with yogurt sauce and mushroom mixture. Lift fennel and onion out of vinegar with your hands and scatter over bowls; discard vinegar. Top with mint, fennel fronds (if using), and pepper.

    5 min