Sweet Potatoes AKA Yams

The days are beginning to feel like Fall which stirs up a whole host of new thoughts about cooking. Grilling is over it's time for smell good foods from the oven! I absolutely love yams which I also call sweet potatoes. I know there is a slight difference but to me they are interchangeable. At the store the ones that I buy are called red yams. I covered roasting them under Roasted Vegetables so now I will explain how to cook them so they can be mashed. The thought of mashed yams makes my mouth water because when done correctly they are creamy, full of flavor and slightly sweet.

Mashed Yams for 4

Buy 2 large (6" long) knarly fat (theres a word) looking red yams
Wash them and poke about 6 holes in each one with the end of a knife. You may bake them in your oven at 375 for about 30 min. or easier still put them in your microwave for 12 - 15 min. until they are soft to the touch like a baked potato.
Remove from the microwave or oven and let cool about 5 min. Remove peel. It should just peel off with your fingers or use a knife to help if it is stubborn. Try to get all of the potato from the skin and place it in a mixing bowl.
Add 1/2 stick of butter, 1/2 c. milk or half n half, pinch of salt, pepper and I like a touch of ginger. Grated ginger root is the best (1/2 - 1 t. ) or you can use ground ginger (1/4 t.)
Mash it all with a potato masher and then a wooden spoon whipping until creamy. Add more milk if you like them really creamy. Add 1/4 c. brown sugar or a little more depending on how sweet you like them. Mix it in.
That's it! If they get cold before you are ready to eat or you want to make them ahead of time just put them in the microwave for about 30 seconds to warm them up. Delish!!



....don't forget the Spice!