Sweet Potato Apple Casserole, from Kris

Sweet Potato Apple Casserole:

- 4 or 5 small - medium yams or sweet potatoes cut to 1/4 inch thick rounds
- 4 cored apples (granny smith) cut to 1/4 inch rounds
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup toasted pecans
- 4 TBSP butter cut into slices
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ginger
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- 2 TBSP dark molasses
- miniature marshmallows to preference

In small bowl mix cinnamon, ginger and brown sugar together.

In microwave safe cup, heat orange juice and molasses and stir together until well mixed.

In a baking dish that has been lightly sprayed with no stick spray, layer 1/2 of the sweet potato slices, top with half of the apple slices, add half of the raisins, half of the pecans and top with half of the brown sugar mixture. "Dot" with half of the butter slices, making sure to get little chunks of butter well distributed. Repeat for one more layer and then pour the orange juice mixture over entire casserole. Bake covered at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Remove cover and bake an additional 20 minutes (or until sweet potatoes and apples are tender). In the last 5 minutes of cooking, add as many marshmallows to the top as you want. Remove from oven before marshmallows burn (this is a very important step!).

Sweet Potatoes, from Michelle (via Sarah)

I cleaned and peeled about 8ish potatoes.

I chopped them into half moons.

I melted three (the shame!) sticks of butter and added *cough* several tablespoons of white sugar. Don't let anything boil, but it should all get melty on decent heat. I

put the potatoes in and put the top on the pot. A couple hours later, the potatoes were about to fall apart, so I took them off the heat. I drained off a LOT of the butter, and in the future, I'll offset the butter with water.

Sweet Potato, Ham, and Leek Soup, suggested by Sarah

Prechopped sweet potato is now available in most grocery stores. If you're unable to find it, peel and cube two small sweet potatoes to measure about 3 cups.

Prep Time: 6 minutes
Cook Time: 28 minutes
Yield: 4 servings (serving size: about 1 1/4 cups)

Ingredients

Olive oil-flavored cooking spray
1 cup diced cooked ham (such as Cumberland Gap)
1 1/2 cups sliced leek (about 1 large)
2 tablespoons water (optional)
3 cups refrigerated cubed peeled sweet potato (such as Glory)
1 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
2 cups water
1 (5-ounce) can evaporated fat-free milk
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Thinly sliced leek (optional)
Thinly sliced green onions (optional)

Preparation

1. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add ham; cook 3 to 4 minutes or until browned, stirring frequently. Remove ham from pan; set aside.

2. Add leek to pan; coat with cooking spray. Cook leek, covered, 5 minutes or until very tender, stirring occasionally. Add 2 tablespoons water to pan, if needed, to prevent burning.

3. Add sweet potato and next 4 ingredients, scraping pan to loosen browned bits; bring mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until sweet potato is very tender. Place half of potato mixture in a blender or food processor. Remove center piece of blender lid (to allow steam to escape); secure blender lid on blender. Place a clean towel over opening in blender lid (to avoid splatters). Process until smooth. Pour puree into a large bowl. Repeat procedure with remaining mixture. Return pureed mixture to pan. Stir in 3/4 cup reserved ham. Ladle soup into bowls; top servings evenly with 1/4 cup reserved ham. Garnish with sliced leek and onions, if desired.

Sweet Potato Gnocchi, suggested by Mel

I don't change a thing - except the amount of butter it's sauteed in. You need less than half of what it calls for. Also - when boiling it, you should just boil it until it floats around the pan. Whether or not that's the amount of time listed, I'm not sure (I've never checked.)

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/v....and-Sage-233379

This time, we didn't take the time to roll the gnocchi across fork tines.

The recipe could easily be cut in half for a family, but I like to make the whole thing and freeze half. They can be frozen before or after boiling. Also - in the two times I've made this, I've not been able to get 3 cups of sweet potato from 2 potatoes. I recommend getting three.

Suggested by Katey - Lentil Stew with Garlic and Ginger

Lentil Stew with Garlic and Ginger
(from the Good Calorie Diet book-- a good diet for people who eat lots of whole grains and stuff anyway)

8 oz dry lentils, rinsed
4 quarts water
1 T curry powder
2 T Turmeric
1 T Old Bay seasoning
1 t coriander
1 t ground cumin
1 t dried basil
Salt and pepper to taste
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced
5 large garlic cloves, minced
3 T tomato paste

In a big pot, cover the lentils with the water and bring to a boil. Stir in all the dry seasonings, turn the heat to low, and simmer 30 minutes. Add the vegetables, ginger, garlic, and tomato paste and cook until the yams are tender (about 15-20 mins in my experience). We often leave out the celery cause we don't much like celery, and it's not worth buying a bunch for 2 stalks that don't really add much to the soup anyway.

Serves 8-10... eat it all week!

Great served over brown rice.

Suggested by Carrie - Caribbean Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili

From Sandra Lee's Semi-Homemade 20 Minute Meal cookbook:

Caribbean Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 1/4 lb ground turkey
1 tsp bottled minced garlic
1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 oz) sweet potatoes rinsed, drained and diced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with onion
1 can (14.5 oz) chicken broth/stock
1 cup mango nectar (Kerns or Goya brand)
1 packet mild chili seasoning mix (McCormick)
1/2 tsp ground allspice
chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

Heat oil in skillet. Add turkey and garlic, stir until brown.Add broth, beans, potatoes, tomatoes, seasoning packet, nectar, and allspice. Bring to boil, reduce heat, simmer for 10 minutes. Serve into bowls, top with fresh cilantro. Makes 4 servings.

Random Sweet Potatoes, by Allison

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees or so.
Peel and dice a couple sweet potatoes.
Throw them into a casserole dish with a couple spoonfuls of brown sugar, a couple tablespoons of butter (chopped into itty bitty pieces).
Stir briefly.
Pour a bit of cranberry juice over top, cover the dish, and bake about 40 minutes.