Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive

- 3½ pounds sweet potatoes (see note*)
- 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 6 tablespoons whipping cream or half-and-half
- Scant ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- Scant ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- Scant ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 2 cups large marshmallows, each cut into quarters (see note**)

1. Place a sheet of heavy-duty foil on center oven rack and preheat to 425 degrees. Pierce each sweet potato in several places and place in oven. Bake about 1 hour, or until very tender when tested in the centers. Remove from oven and cool slightly.

2. When cool enough to handle, open the potatoes and scrape the flesh into a large bowl. Add 6 tablespoons butter, cream, allspice, ginger, nutmeg, salt, pepper, brown sugar and lemon juice. Mash with a potato masher until semi-smooth. (The dish can be made 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate. Remove from refrigerator 1 hour before baking.)

3. Spray a 2½-quart casserole dish with cooking spray. Pile the mashed sweet potatoes into the dish. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven about 20 minutes. Top with marshmallows and continue baking 25 minutes, or until golden on top.

* Note: Try to use the red-fleshed Jewel or Garnet variety of sweet potato. The Garnet is often labeled as a yam in supermarkets.

** Note: 'Handmade' marshmallows, available at Whole Foods, are fun to use in this recipe.

— Adapted from "One Potato Two Potato" by Roy Finamore and Molly Stevens.

Copyright © 2003 The Seattle Times Company