Oven-baked sweet potato melts with marshmallows

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp. l. olive oil
• 4 medium sweet potatoes (about 700 g), peeled, trimmed off ends and cut into 2 cm thick circles.
• 0.5 cups lightly salted chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp. maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 6 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 10 large marshmallow, cut in half crosswise
• Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation:

1. Position racks in the upper and center thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 200°C.
2. In a large cast-iron or ovenproof skillet, heat the butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sweet potatoes in a single layer, sprinkle with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Fry until golden brown, about 4 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a small liquid measuring cup, whisk together the broth, maple syrup, pepper flakes, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until smooth. Carefully turn the sweet potatoes over with tongs, then pour in the broth mixture and sprinkle with fresh thyme.
4. Place in the oven and bake on the center rack until the sweet potato is very tender and the broth has reduced slightly, 20 to 25 minutes.
5. Remove the skillet from the oven and set the oven to broil. Place a marshmallow half, cut side down, on each sweet potato slice. Place on the top rack of the oven and broil until the marshmallows are lightly browned, about 1 minute. Watch carefully to avoid burning.