I can’t help….falling in love with this Elvis inspired Sweet Tater!! In celebration of his birthday I made a healthier version of one of his favorites; the bacon, peanut butter and banana sandwich. This is his infamous combo of salty and sweet that Elvis would ask for all the time from the Graceland kitchen, so the story goes. I think it all pairs perfectly with a sweet creamy baked sweet potato!
This really eats like a meal, it’s hearty and insanely delicious. This Elvis style loaded sweet potato looks like a glorious heap of crazy goodness in the photos but you just have to trust me here…..everything is evenly scattered around and all the flavors are there in every bite for you. Breakfast, Lunch or Desert….anytime is the right time.It’s a baked sweet potato topped with creamy cashew butter, sliced perfectly ripe banana, crumbled paleo bacon bits and a dollop of homemade apple butter to give it just a hunka hunka burnin sweet tater love!
I’m all shook up…. 
Love me tender tater, love me true!
Don’t be cruel, to a tater that’s good for you…. restaurants seem to serve sweet potatoes two ways; either baked with a side of cinnamon (refined) sugar or as fries dusted in, you guessed it, more cinnamon sugar. I tend to top mine with butter and good ol salt and pepper when I am out, how about you?
There is just a hint of natural sweet in the potato…sweetness is all in the palette. What is sweet to me may not even register to others if they eat more than I do regularly. It’s something our tongue gets used to, then it needs more…and more…and more to hit that sweet spot. It takes some time but there are ways to reduce sugar instead of going cold turkey. That method usually backfires on me, no matter what category! I need to step down and be consciously “okay” with each move. Saying goodbye to artificial sweeteners, taking one packet less of sugar in your coffee, a bit less in that recipe your making, swapping out maple or honey; these are all doable over time. Before you know it, you will be tasting a hint of sweetness in fresh steamed broccoli- I swear!
Now on to another love of ours; travel. Chad and I stopped by Memphis on a RV trip a couple years ago, we did the “southern tour” via Hwy 40 from California to Tennessee then on down through Mississippi, Louisiana and back on the 10 fwy. We saw 9 states and did all this in just over two weeks, lots of open road…and driving! We knew we had to do two things to do that were an absolute requirement; Graceland and Memphis Barbecue!
First stop was on Beale street, we cruised and perused the windows, listened to the music and checked out the vibes. Scents of smoke, maple and spices led us to Blues City Café to have lunch. Oh meh bbq heaven…everything you could imagine in a barbecue joint was right here. Ribs, pulled pork, slaw, bbq beans, rolls, sauce and more sauce washed down with a couple cold ones. I enjoyed every bite so much I didn’t even take a photo of my plate- how dare I? Blogger fail.
Then we went onto Graceland, we happened to be there on Memorial Day and there wasn’t a huge crowd; perfect. What a lush, regal, beautiful property it is. Trees, green manicured grass and plants with a traditional colonial style entrance and a gentle winding road invited us in.
Once you go in the mansion it is 1977 just as he left it. As you enter his home your greeted with beautiful stained glass and a grand piano in the formal living room, and a full setting at the dining table. Even stained glass peacocks…..
Of course, I scoped out the kitchen. Look at all those cute containers on the counter; reminded me of my grandma’s house. She always has a stash of oatmeal cookies on hand. Look at that cute little toaster too…
I could totally see Elvis talking to his mom from the stool there while she fired up that bacon and toasted his bread for his favorite sammie. All the themed rooms, shag carpet, fabric walls, the crystal chandeliers. Gold records, jets, photos, custom costumes, jewelry and his signature glasses. All pure Elvis opulence at it’s finest. He is etched in our minds through his persona and his music. Truly one of a kind, a uniquely talented individual.
“Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine.” – Elvis Presley
And now, without further delay, ladies and gentlemen will you please welcome to the stage…. the Viva Sweet Tater!!
Use organic fruit, veg, organic cashew butter and sugar free paleo style uncured bacon for quality ingredients. Try it with this amazing (no refined sugar!) homemade Apple Date Butter recipe – a winter staple in our house.
Elvis Style Loaded Sweet Potato
Baked sweet potato topped with creamy cashew butter, ripe banana, paleo bacon bits, walnuts and a dollop of homemade apple butter to give it just a hunka hunka burnin sweet tater love!
Ingredients
- 1 baked sweet potato
- ½ sliced banana
- 2 T cashew butter
- 2 slices paleo bacon into bits
- 1 T walnuts chopped
- 1 T Apple Butter or maple syrup works too!
Instructions
Prepare
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Take a tater and pop it in the oven for about 40 minutes on 400 until it is squishy to the touch and cooked through. While its baking fry up the paleo bacon and chop the walnuts.
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When ready layer everybody on your plate starting with the tater. Slice it open lengthwise and open it up on the plate. Give it a score or two with your knife to loosen up the flesh for easy eating.
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The cashew butter goes on first, then slice the banana in thin coins size and place them all around, try and get it all fairly even so you get a little on each bite. Top with the bacon bits, walnuts, a dollop of homemade apple butter and serve!
Recipe Notes
Tips *You can drizzle a little organic maple syrup or agave if you prefer instead of apple butter. If the banana is enough sweet for you then it’s perfectly fine to omit the extra sweet element all together.
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