Baked Yams With Spicy Molasses Butter Food

WHOLE BAKED YAMS WITH SPICY MOLASSES BUTTER

Steps:

• Using electric mixer, beat first 7 ingredients in medium bowl until fluffy. (Can be prepared 1 week ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before using.)
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line large baking sheet with heavy-duty foil. Using small, sharp knife, make one 1/2-inch-deep lengthwise slit in each yam, leaving 1 inch of yam uncut at each end. Place yams on baking sheet. Bake yams until tender, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Cut slits across center of each yam. Press ends toward center to expose flesh. Transfer yams to platter. Spoon 1 tablespoon spiced butter into each. Pass remaining spiced butter separately.

SWEET POTATOES GLAZED WITH MOLASSES, PECANS AND BOURBON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Combine the butter, molasses, brown sugar and cayenne in a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until smooth, about 5 minutes. Increase the heat to high, add the bourbon and cook for 2 minutes to allow alcohol to burn out. Season with salt and pepper.
• Put the potatoes in a large baking dish, pour the molasses mixture over and toss to coat. Roast in the oven, stirring a few times, until the potatoes are cooked through and glazed, about 20 minutes. Remove to a platter and top with the pecans.
• Alternatively, this can be done in a large saute pan: Melt the butter, molasses, brown sugar and cayenne over medium heat. Add the bourbon and let the alcohol cook out. Add the potatoes and cook until glazed over medium-high heat. Transfer to a platter and top with the pecans.

BAKED YAMS WITH SPICY MOLASSES BUTTER

Steps:

• Using electric mixer, beat first 7 ingredients in medium bowl until fluffy. (Can be prepared 1 week ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before using.)
• Preheat oven to 350°F Line large baking sheet with heavy-duty foil. Using small, sharp knife, make one 1/2-inch-deep lengthwise slit in each yam, leaving 1 inch of yam uncut at each end. Place yams on baking sheet. Bake yams until tender, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Cut slits across center of each yam. Press ends toward center to expose flesh. Transfer yams to platter. Spoon 1 tablespoon spiced butter into each. Pass remaining spiced butter separately.

MOLASSES BUTTER FOR BAKED WHOLE SWEET POTATOES

Steps:

• Mix the first 6 ingredients in a bowl using an electric mixer until fluffy; cover and chill (soften slightly before using if desired).
• After the yams are baked cut slits across center of each yam.
• Press ends together toward the center to expose the flesh.
• Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of spiced butter into each.
• Pass the spiced butter around at the table.

SPICY BUTTERMILK CHICKEN TENDERS WITH MOLASSES DIPPING GRAVY

Steps:

• Place the chicken tenders in the buttermilk and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
• Pre-heat oven to 250ºF.
• Place a large, high-sided skillet over medium heat with the oil (it should come about an inch up the side of the pan).
• While the oil heats up, combine 2 cups flour and spices in a large dish. Working in batches, coat the chicken tenders in the spiced flour mixture, pressing on them lightly to make the flour stick (for a really good breading, double dip the tenders by running them through the buttermilk and flour a second time).
• Once the oil has heated up, fry the chicken in batches until deep golden brown and cooked through, 5-6 minutes. (As you finish each batch, transfer them to a sheet pan and keep them warm in the low oven).
• When the chicken tenders are almost ready, place a medium saucepot over medium heat and melt the butter. Sprinkle remaining 3 tablespoons flour over the butter and cook for about a minute. Whisk the chicken stock, Worcestershire and molasses into the butter-flour mixture and simmer until thickened, 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, and reserve warm.
• Serve the chicken tenders with the molasses dipping gravy and some Sweet Potato Oven Fries alongside.

MOLASSES BAKED BEANS

Steps:

• Place beans and 2-1/2 qts. water in a 6-qt. Dutch oven; bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; soak for 1 hour. Drain and rinse beans; return to pan with remaining water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour or until beans are tender. Drain, reserving cooking liquid. Return beans to pan; add remaining ingredients and mix well. Cover and bake at 350° for 2 to 2-1/2 hours or until beans reach desired consistency, stirring occasionally. Add some of the reserved cooking liquid if too thick.

BEST CANDIED YAMS WITH MARSHMALLOWS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Spray 2 pieces of aluminum foil with cooking spray.
• Mash drained yams in a large bowl with a fork. Add ingredients in the following order, mixing well after each addition: brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and heavy cream. Pour mixture into two 8-inch square baking dishes. Sprinkle 1/2 of the marshmallows over each dish and cover with aluminum foil, spray-side down.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes.