Rachael's helping you plan the perfect Thanksgiving dinner with her two-day "Thanksgiving A-to-Z" event, featuring delicious recipes, affordable tips and more! This recipe offers a bit of Rachael's hometown flavor; the maple will take your sweet potatoes the extra mile on Thanksgiving.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- Juice of 1 orange
- 4 pounds sweet potatoes
- Salt
- 1 1/2 cups turkey or chicken stock
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 large fresh bay leaf
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 to 4 cloves
- Juice of 1 orange plus a few strips of rind
- 4 tablespoons butter
- Several sprigs thyme
Optional garnishes: chopped candied pecans, chopped smoky bacon, chives
- Chopped candied pecans, chopped smoky bacon, and chives, for garnish (optional)
Preparation
Place potatoes in a pot of cold water and bring to a boil. Salt water and cook potatoes to tender. Drain and return to hot pot.
Meanwhile, place stock, syrup, bay, cinnamon, cloves, orange juice and rind, butter, thyme and peppercorns in a small pot over medium-low heat.
Strain the stock and syrup into the sweet potatoes and mash. Adjust seasoning and serve with toppings candied nuts, bacon and/or chives, if desired.
