Last night my kindergarten teacher called me for my candied yam recipe.  So I got to thinking, if I am recognized for one dish, it would likely be my sweet potatoes.  This recipe was given to me by D’s Mom and heralds back to their American roots where you never had Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter for that matter without this satisfying dish.  I can’t imagine a bite of roasted ham without a slice of sweet potato on my fork.  The absolute perfect combination of sweet, salty and savoury that you will ever taste.

The basic proceedure is simple.  Cut and par-boil the spuds until their skins are visibly seperating from the vegetable.  Drain, cool and peel. 

The skins literally “pop” off at this point.  Cut into smaller pieces-this will vary depending upon the age of your guests and the other textures of your menu.  Loosely arrange in a shallow baking dish and add just enough water to cover the bottom of the pan.  Now dab with dots of butter and sprinkle with brown sugar.  Both of the latter are also according to your preference.  Now cover in foil and bake until the potatoes are fork tender.  How long depends upon what else is in the oven.

I have made a variety of toppings over the years including baby marshmallows when the kids were young.  More recently the most requested version is a crust of more butter, brown sugar and chopped pecans.  These get added to the last half hour of baking time.  But this year I am honouring the Frenchman and another family member who is nut allergic, and topping them with pure maple syrup.  I intend to drizzle it on just before we serve.  D made these recently for a Christmas dinner that he catered and they were a huge hit.  And the leftovers (if there are any) can be pureed for a post-Christmas soup!

This will be my last post before the holidays.  I am indebted to you my readers and encouragers.  I want to particularily thank Lori, Laura, Michael, Sisters #2 & 3, my Mom, all my kids and my precious D.  You make my life an adventure-in tasting and in love.

To my big brother Tom who will not be with us this Christmas…I love you so and miss you every day.  Go easy on the shrimp at that banquet table in heaven.

Muah!

Kath’s quote:  “Said Aristotle unto Plato,
‘Have another sweet potato?’
Said Plato unto Aristotle,
‘Thank you, I prefer the bottle.’”-Owen Wister

Huh?

Share on Facebook