A Recipe for Sweet Potato Casserole
I never tasted a sweet potato until I was in my 20s. They weren’t part of our Thanksgiving table, restaurants weren’t serving them as fries yet and I never really knew what to do with them when I passed them at the grocery store. I’m not sure what prompted me to try this recipe five years ago, but this Sweet Potato Casserole has become one of my favorite things to eat and now I make it every year for Thanksgiving:
The recipe from EatingWell is quick and simple, I love how the orange flavor comes through:
Casserole
2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, (3 medium), peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 cup low-fat milk
2 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
Topping
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
4 teaspoons frozen orange juice concentrate
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
Place sweet potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook over medium heat until tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain well and return to the pan. Mash with a potato masher. Measure out 3 cups. (Reserve any extra for another use.)
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat an 8-inch-square (or similar 2-quart) baking dish with cooking spray.
Whisk eggs, oil and honey in a medium bowl. Add mashed sweet potato and mix well. Stir in milk, orange zest, vanilla and salt. Spread the mixture in the prepared baking dish.
To prepare topping: Mix flour, brown sugar, orange juice concentrate, oil and butter in a small bowl. Blend with a fork or your fingertips until crumbly. Stir in pecans. Sprinkle over the casserole.
Bake the casserole until heated through and the top is lightly browned, 35 to 45 minutes.
Active time, 30 minutes. Total time, 1-1/4 hours.
