Spiced Sweet Potatoes

This has been a season of innumerable blessings for us. After spending most of our marriage living on student loans, and only getting the things we needed, having a real income is amazing!! The thing is, we're saving for a house. So as much as we would like to go a little crazy on our wants, we have to look ahead. This was the year I was determined to deck our home out with Christmas decorations, buy new designer glasses, fill my kitchen with gloriousness from Williams Sonoma, buy a whole new wardrobe... but slowly, I am putting each of those aside, again, for later. A house is worth it. We were happy living on less. We truly were! Except, of course, for the awful days when less turned into "not enough". But most of the time, we were happy. And we can be happy saving for a house. Not living to the fullest of our income. I get a bit wistful, but we can do it.

There's your introspection for the day!! Now, we have a movie review!! Those of you who have been reading for a while know I'm a little obsessed with Great Britain. All of it. But most especially Scotland. I don't really know why. Anyway, when I saw the very first preview for "Brave" from Pixar, I nearly fell out of my chair with excitement. I never got to see it in theaters, but finally watched it on Thanksgiving with the boys. I've heard a lot of people say it doesn't measure up to Pixar's usual genius. I completely disagree. I cried 4 times during that movie!! All at those Mother moments. I may not have a little girl, but I fight with my boys. And I would bet all of us have had those moments where we just lose it, and go too far, and are immediately horrified at ourselves. This movie didn't just tug at my heartstrings, it yanked. Sure, it's not constantly funny, and yes, the basic plotline has been done. But to me, somehow, they did it better. Oh, and the animation!!! Those shots of Scotland! Her hair!! The HORSE!!! *faint* I bought it. End of review :)

Spiced Sweet Potatoes (adapted from Cooks Illustrated)

Printable Recipe

3-4 large yams or sweet potatoes
6 Tb butter, melted
2 Tb honey
3 Tb molasses
1 tsp powdered ginger

1/2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 1/2 Tb cornstarch

Note: It took me years to learn this, but sweet potatoes and yams are totally different beasts! And here in America, the ones you can find at the grocery store are usually yams. The deep orange ones. Sweet potatoes  are much lighter. So even though we call this "sweet potatoes", I always use yams. And call them sweet potatoes. :) You can use either.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Peel and cut sweet potatoes into 1-1 1/2 inch chunks. Dump them into buttered 9x13 baking dish.

Whisk melted butter, honey, molasses, ginger, salt, and cayenne in small bowl and set aside. Mix cornstarch with 2 Tb water in small bowl until smooth, then it whisk into butter mixture. Pour this over the potatoes and toss it all to coat the chunks.

Cover tightly with foil and bake until potatoes are almost soft enough, about 40-50 minutes. Remove foil, stir yams gently, and bake until potatoes are soft and glaze thickens, about 15-20 minutes longer. Cool slightly and serve hot.

I've never had the kind with little marshmallows on top. But I've never really wanted to! This is my favorite. Yum. It's full of sweet, dark, warm flavors...

Soft and tender with a bit of a kick...

Personally I think Thanksgiving needs a bit of kick! These are delicious, easy as pie, and make great leftovers! In the mood to try something new? I recommend this one. Sure to get you rave reviews. No if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go eat some for breakfast. :)

Shared at Foodie Friends Friday