Vanilla Scented Pureed Sweet Potatoes Food

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.

VANILLA SWEET POTATOES

Steps:

• Pierce potatoes with a fork, and arrange in a circle on paper towels in microwave oven.
• Microwave at high 10 minutes or until tender, rearranging potatoes after 5 minutes.
• Wrap in a towel; let stand 5 minutes.
• Peel and mash potatoes.
• Combine with milk and remaining ingredients.
• Place in a 1-quart casserole; cover and microwave on medium for 7 minutes, or until thoroughly heated.

MASHED SWEET POTATOES WITH BROWN SUGAR AND PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix sugar, pecans and butter in small bowl. Cover and chill until ready to use. (Can be made up to 2 days ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
• Butter 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Cook sweet potatoes in large pot of boiling salted water until very tender, about 12 minutes. Drain. Let stand in colander 15 minutes. Purée sweet potatoes in processor.
• Beat eggs, syrup, vanilla, lemon juice and salt in large bowl. Mix in puréed sweet potatoes. Transfer sweet potato mixture to prepared dish. Sprinkle pecan topping evenly over mixture.
• Bake until sweet potato mixture is set and topping bubbles, about 1 hour. Let stand 15 minutes and serve.