Copper Penny Warmth dish (Printable)

Layered roasted sweet potatoes, apricots, aged cheddar, and pecans served warm in copper ramekins.

# Ingredient list:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
02 - 2 large carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - ½ teaspoon sea salt
06 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Fruits & Nuts

07 - ½ cup dried apricots, sliced
08 - ½ cup pecan halves, lightly toasted

→ Cheese

09 - 1 cup aged cheddar cheese, coarsely grated

→ Garnish

10 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped (optional)

# How-to:

01 - Set the oven to 400°F to prepare for baking.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine sweet potato and carrot slices with olive oil, smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper; toss until fully coated.
03 - In four copper ramekins or small baking dishes, arrange overlapping layers of sweet potato and carrot slices interspersed with dried apricot slices and toasted pecans.
04 - Cover each ramekin loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes to soften vegetables and meld flavors.
05 - Remove foil, top each ramekin evenly with grated aged cheddar, then return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
06 - Allow the dishes to cool slightly, garnish with chopped fresh chives if using, and serve warm in the ramekins.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely stunning when served straight from those copper ramekins, turning a simple side dish into restaurant-quality presentation that makes everyone pause and admire it first
  • The sweet earthiness of roasted carrots and sweet potatoes mingles beautifully with tart-sweet apricots and nutty pecans in a way that feels like autumn itself on your plate
  • You'll love how the aged cheddar melts into golden pools between the vegetable layers, creating pockets of creamy, savory richness that surprised me the first time I made this
02 -
  • The vegetable slices must be thin and uniform, or you'll have some pieces still crunchy and others mushy—invest in a sharp knife or mandoline and take your time slicing
  • That smoked paprika is not just flavor—it's what separates this from tasting like plain roasted vegetables. The smokiness adds a savory depth that makes people ask what your secret ingredient is
  • Aged cheddar is absolutely non-negotiable. Mild or medium cheddar will make this taste pedestrian. The sharp, crystalline bite is what elevates this to something memorable
03 -
  • Toast your own pecans if you have time—raw pecans have no presence, but 8 minutes in a 350°F oven transforms them into something with real character and depth
  • Don't skip the smoked paprika. This single ingredient is what prevents the dish from tasting like plain vegetables with cheese on top. It's the bridge between the earthiness and the richness
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