These Bourbon Pecan Mashed Sweet Potatoes are sure to be a favorite for your fall holidays and beyond.
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Here’s a healthier version of the classic sweet potato casserole of yesteryear. Remember the gooey marshmallows on top and the overly sugary taste? I could never figure out why it was on the table as a side item at Thanksgiving when it clearly belonged on the dessert table! As a kid, I loved that casserole.
But now? No way! So unhealthy and full of sugar. But I still love sweet potatoes, so here’s a healthy alternative to last century’s sugary potato casserole offering.
Bonus: this recipe can and should be customized to your tastes. I seriously considered writing the recipe as “a pinch of this, a dash of that…” since it really does need to be created according to your tastes. I made the effort and actually wrote down particular portions and amounts, but please note these are guidelines.
So here’s how you put it together; it’s so simple. Peel, chop, and boil the sweet potatoes until just tender. Do not overcook; otherwise, the whole thing will be just too watery and won’t hold together well. Drain the potatoes, return to the pot and start adding the ingredients as you mash. I just use a regular hand-held potato masher. (Full instructions included in the recipe details down below.)
And here’s the crucial part – you must taste as you go. For example, you might like a more pronounced bourbon flavor; just add a little more. You might think it doesn’t need the addition of maple syrup; so don’t add it. You might want a little more cinnamon to shine through; add a dash more…you get the idea. I like to add a dash of the trifecta of holiday spices: cinnamon, ground ginger and ground cloves – all to taste. Start with a little of each, then, taste, and go from there.
A word on the pecans; I like a smattering of pecans in my sweet potatoes, but someone else in the house wants a smattering of sweet potatoes with his pecans. ::ahem:: So my answer is to garnish heavily on top with the nuts, and he can dig in from there, while I go for the ‘taters underneath.
And of course, you can always leave them out altogether. Your choice, your ‘taters. Enjoy!
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Loaded Baked Potato Salad
Bourbon Pecan Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- 3 medium organic sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 2-3 Tablespoons butter, more or less to taste
- 2 Tablespoons organic maple syrup, more or less to taste
- 2 -3 Tablespoons of bourbon whisky, more or less to taste
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp ground ginger
- ⅛ tsp ground cloves
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- Place the sweet potato chunks in a large pot, cover with water and bring to a boil.
- Cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Do not over cook.
- Drain the cooked sweet potatoes and return them to the pot on the stove.
- Turn off the burner heat.
- Add the butter to the pot and let it melt just a bit before beginning to mash with a potato masher.
- Add salt, vanilla and bourbon and continue mashing, tasting as you go.
- Add maple syrup, cinnamon, ginger and clover and mix.
- Pecans: either add into the potatoes, reserving a little for garnish, or just add the entire chopped pecans as a topping/garnish.
- Serve immediately while hot.
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