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Thanksgiving: Cider-Mashed Yams

Source of Recipe

From "Thanksgiving 101" by Rick Rodgers


Recipe Introduction

"These yams take the mashed route, and deliciously. They also are one of the best low-fat side dishes around (welcome at a meal typically high in calories and fat grams), and the one to serve if you're not a fan of overly sweet yams. In order to intensify the apple flavor, the cider is reduced by half, but you could use â…“ cup thawed frozen apple juice concentrate. If you wish, this dish is easy to marshmallowize."

List of Ingredients

â—¦ â…” cup apple cider
â—¦ 5 large orange-fleshed yams (about 4 ½ pounds), scrubbed but unpeeled
â—¦ 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter
â—¦ 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
â—¦ ½ teaspoon salt


Recipe

In a small saucepan, boil the cider over high heat until reduced by half, about 7 minutes. Set aside.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the yams and cook until tender, 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the size of the yams. Drain well. Using a kitchen towel to protect your hands, peel the yams and return to the warm pot. Add the reduced cider, butter, brown sugar, and salt. Mash until well blended.

The mashed yams can be prepared up to 8 hours ahead, cooled, covered tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerated.
To reheat, spread in a buttered 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Cover loosely with aluminum foil, and bake in a preheated 350-degree oven until heated through, about 30 minutes. Serve hot from the baking dish.

Makes 8 to 10 servings



• Mashed Yams with Marshmallows:
Spread half of the hot yams in a buttered 9 by 13-inch casserole. Sprinkle with ½ cup miniature marshmallows. Top with the remaining yams. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 20 minutes. Sprinkle the top with another ½ cup marshmallows. Broil in a preheated broiler, about 4 inches away from the source of heat, until the marshmallows are lightly browned, about 1 minute. Serve immediately. (This casserole can be prepared up to 8 hours ahead, made with cooled mashed yams, following the reheating instructions in the main recipe, and broiling the marshmallow topping just before serving.)