Sweet Potato Moonshine Food

MAPLE BOURBON SWEET POTATO PIE

Steps:

• When it comes to fall vegetable-based pies, some individuals fancy pumpkin, while others (like me) are die-hard sweet potato fans. Both are autumnal, both marry well with the flavors of maple, spirits, and spice; but using sweet potatoes results in a denser, creamier texture. Originally created for an article in Fine Cooking magazine, this dessert is always one of my Thanksgiving pie offerings. I can't tell you how many people have said as they down the last crumb, "and I thought I didn't like sweet potato pie."
• This is like a sweet potato custard, and you will want to take care not to overbake the filling. Check it frequently as it nears the end of its baking time and remember that it will set up a bit as it cools.
• Serve this pie with some lightly whipped cream or, for a slightly twisted take on a tried-and-true Thanksgiving combo, garnish with some marshmallow fluff.
• 1 (9-inch) basic pie crust, baked blind, recipe follows
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Pierce the sweet potatoes at each end with a fork and place them on a foil-lined baking sheet. Roast until the potatoes are soft, about 1 hour, turning them over halfway through the baking time. Cool, peel, and put the flesh through a food mill or mash smoothly with a potato masher. You should have 2 cups of puree.
• Turn oven down to 375 degrees F.
• Combine the puree with all the remaining ingredients for the filling. Whisk until well combined and smooth. Pour the filling into the partially baked pie shell. Bake for about 45 to 50 minutes, until the filling is just barely set. When the rim of the pie plate is nudged, the very center of the filling should barely move.
• Cool the pie to room temperature. It can be made several hours or up to 1 day in advance.
• Place the flour, salt and sugar in the bowl of a food processor with a steel blade. Pulse to combine.
• Add the chilled butter and shortening; pulse until the fat is evenly cut in and the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Remove to a mixing bowl.
• Working quickly, gradually add enough cold water, while tossing and stirring with a fork, until the dough just begins to come together. Divide the dough into 2 even portions, flatten into rounds, wrap in plastic, and chill for a few hours or overnight.
• Roll out 1 portion and fit it into a 9-inch pie pan. Crimp edges. Reserve remaining portion for another use. Line shell with foil or parchment paper and fill with dry rice or beans. Blind bake in a preheated 375 degree F oven for 20 minutes. Remove foil and beans before filling.

SWEET POTATO MASH

Steps:

• These potatoes can be steamed to preserve more of the flavor and vitamins (or boiled if you wish), until tender. (To steam them, you can place them in a single layer on a rack placed over a large shallow pan of water with a large pot lid to cover. Replenish water in pan if it boils off before they are tender.)
• Place the tender potatoes in a large bowl and mash by hand with a masher or fork. Then, using a beater, whip in butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, maple syrup, and enough cream to achieve your desired consistency. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

BOURBON SWEET POTATO PIE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Line cookie sheet with foil. Place sweet potatoes on cookie sheet; pierce several times with fork. Roast 45 to 60 minutes or until tender. Cool 5 minutes. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Scoop out pulp into medium bowl to measure 2 cups. Reserve any remaining pulp for another use; discard skins.
• In food processor, place sweet potato pulp; cover and process until creamy. Add brown sugar, eggs, half-and-half, 2 tablespoons bourbon, the cinnamon, nutmeg and salt; cover and continue to process until well blended and smooth.
• Place pie crust in ungreased 9-inch pie plate. Fold and roll pastry under, even with plate; flute as desired. Pour sweet potato mixture into crust-lined plate. Bake 10 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Bake 30 to 35 minutes longer or until center is set and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cover edges with foil if crust is getting too dark. Cool 30 minutes on cooling rack. Refrigerate 2 hours.
• When ready to serve: In chilled medium bowl, beat whipping cream with electric mixer on medium-high speed until slightly thickened. Reduce speed to low; beat in powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon bourbon and the vanilla. Increase speed to medium-high; beat until stiff peaks form. Cut pie into slices; serve topped with whipped cream. Store covered in refrigerator.