Pureed Sweet Potatoes In A Won Ton Basket Food

SWEET POTATO PUREE WITH CARAMELIZED BANANAS AND ORANGES

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the sweet potatoes and cook until very soft, about 20 minutes. Drain the potatoes, then cover and keep warm.
• Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the allspice, vanilla bean, cinnamon and star anise. Toast the spices, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add the orange quarters and banana slices, raise the heat to medium high and cook, flipping the fruit once, until slightly brown, about 2 minutes per side. Add the maple syrup to the skillet, cover, remove from the heat and set aside to allow the flavors to meld for about 30 minutes.
• Squeeze the juice from the orange quarters into the syrup mixture and discard the peels. Remove and discard the spices, being careful not to lose any of the syrup.
• Puree the warm sweet potatoes in a food processor, slowly adding the cream and remaining 6 tablespoons butter. Add the banana-syrup mixture and puree until fully incorporated. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve warm.

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.

SILKY SWEET POTATO PUREE

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position; heat to 425 degrees.
• Place potatoes on a foil-lined pan; bake 45 to 60 minutes, until tender.
• Peel when cool enough to handle.
• Puree with salt and pepper in a food processor.
• With motor running, gradually add milks through feeder tube, then butter.
• Process until silken. (Can make up to 2 days ahead; store in an airtight container.)
• Reheat and serve.

SWEET POTATO PUREE WITH BROWN BUTTER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Bake the sweet potatoes: Place the sweet potatoes in a single layer on 2 baking sheets. Put the trays in the center of the oven and bake until completely yielding when pierced with the tip of a knife, 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours.
• Make the brown butter: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter completely over medium heat. Wait until it starts to simmer and turn golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the brown sugar, molasses, dry ginger, fresh ginger, cinnamon and cloves. Set aside.
• Make the puree: When the potatoes are cooked, place them on a flat surface and cut them in half. Use a large spoon to scoop out the flesh. Discard the skins and run the potatoes through the food mill. Transfer to a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the milk and all of the reserved brown butter mixture. Taste for seasoning.
• Finish and serve: Add a few "grates" of orange zest and then cut the orange and half and squeeze in the juice. Taste for seasoning. If the puree lacks sweetness, add a little molasses. If it lacks salt, add more salt or a splash Worcestershire Sauce.