Barefoot Contessa Sweet Potato Casserole Food

THE BEST SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

Steps:

• For the sweet potatoes: Add 1 3/4 pounds peeled and cubed sweet potatoes to a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then lower the heat to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are very tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and cool. Mash the sweet potatoes.
• For the filling: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart baking dish.
• Whisk together the butter, mashed sweet potatoes, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, salt and eggs in a large bowl. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
• For the topping: Combine the flour, brown sugar, butter and salt in a medium bowl until moist and the mixture clumps together. Stir in the pecans. Spread the mixture over the top of the sweet potatoes in an even layer. Bake until mostly set in the center and golden on top, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve hot.

SPICY SWEET POTATO EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line one sheet pan with aluminum foil and another with parchment paper.
• Rub the sweet potatoes with olive oil and prick them all over with the tines of a fork. Place the potatoes on the foil-lined sheet pan. Bake for about 1 hour, until very tender when pierced with a knife. Lower the oven to 375 degrees.
• Allow the potatoes to cool enough to handle, then peel and discard the skins, placing the potatoes in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the sour cream, butter, maple syrup, chile powder, orange zest, orange juice, 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, and 3/4 teaspoon black pepper and mix well. Set aside.
• Unfold one sheet of the cold puff pastry on a floured cutting board. Roll the sheet into a 12-inch square with a rolling pin. With a sharp paring knife, cut four 5-inch circles from the pastry, using a dish as a guide and discarding the scraps. Place a heaping soup spoon of filling on each circle, leaving a 1-inch border. Brush the edges of the circles with the egg wash and fold over, making half circles. Crimp the edges together with the tines of a fork. Repeat with the second sheet of puff pastry. Place on the parchment-lined sheet pan. Chill for 15 minutes.
• Brush with the egg wash and sprinkle with the sea salt and pepper. Make 2 small slits in each empanada to allow steam to escape. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until puffed and browned. Serve hot.

SWEET POTATO PUREE

Steps:

• Place a steamer insert or a mesh colander in a large pot and add enough water to reach the bottom of the steamer. Place the sweet potatoes in the steamer and bring the water to a boil. Cover the pot, lower the heat, and cook over simmering water for about 25 minutes, until very tender. Check occasionally to be sure the water doesn't boil away.
• Transfer the sweet potatoes to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. With the mixer on low, slowly add the half-and-half, orange zest, orange juice, cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. With the mixer still on low, add the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until incorporated. Taste for seasonings and mix until smooth. Serve hot.

BAKED SWEET POTATO "FRIES"

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
• Halve the sweet potatoes lengthwise and cut each half into 3 long spears. Place them on a sheet pan and toss with the olive oil. Spread the potatoes in one layer. Combine the brown sugar, salt, and pepper and sprinkle on the potatoes. Bake for 15 minutes and then turn with a spatula. Bake for another 5 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Sprinkle lightly with salt and serve hot.

SMASHED SWEET POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Scrub the potatoes, prick them several times with a knife or fork, and bake them for 1 hour or until very soft when pierced with a knife. Remove from the oven and scoop out the insides as soon as they are cool enough to handle. Place the sweet potato meat into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and add the orange juice, cream, butter, brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Mix together until combined but not smooth and transfer to a baking dish.
• Bake the potatoes for 20 to 30 minutes, until heated through.

BAREFOOT CONTESSA'S "FOOLPROOF" ORANGE SWEET POTATO PU

Steps:

• Place a steamer insert or mesh colander in a large pot and add enough water to reach the bottom of the steamer. Place the sweet potatoes in the steamer and bring the water to a boil. Cover the pot and lower the heat.
• Cook over simmering water for about 25 minutes, until very tender. Check occasionally to be sure the water doesn't boil away.
• Transfer the sweet potatoes to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. With the mixer on low, slowly add the half and half, orange zest, orange juice, cayenne pepper, 1 T salt, 1 t black pepper.
• With the mixer still on low, add the butter, 1 T at a time, until incorporated.
• Taste for seasonings and mix until smooth. Serve hot.

BAREFOOT CONTESSA'S MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Cook the potatoes in a large pot of boiling salted water for 15 to 20 minutes, until very tender.
• Meanwhile, heat the butter and half-and-half in a small saucepan.
• Drain the potatoes.
• While still hot, place the potatoes in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
• With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the hot half-and-half mixture, the sour cream, 2 teaspoons salt, and the pepper.
• Mix until the potatoes are mashed but not completely smooth.
• Serve hot.

INA GARTEN'S BAKED SWEET POTATO FRIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425*F.
• Cut sweet potatoes in wedges or like french fries.
• Place wedges on large baking pan or cookie sheet. Pour over olive oil, and toss to mix.
• Now sprinkle over brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat wedges.
• Spread out in a single layer. Place pan in oven and bake for 15 minutes, then take out and turn wedges over.
• Place back in oven and bake another 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on the outside.
• Sprinke with extra kosher salt to taste. The cooking time will depend on how big the wedges are. Enjoy!
• Note: These are also good with a little ground cumin sprinkled with the other seasonings. Have fun and experiment!

BAREFOOT CONTESSA'S HASH BROWNS - INA GARTEN

Steps:

• Melt butter in frying pan.
• Add onions and potatoes.
• Add salt and pepper.
• Let brown and then toss.
• Repeat until nicely browned.
• If you are making the other recipes just place in oven to keep warm until everything is done.