“Sweet” Potato Casserole

Sweet Potato Casserole 

 4 large (about 4 lbs.) baked sweet potatoes (clean, bake 400°F 45-60 minutes)
1/3 cup brown sugar
½ cup melted butter
2 large eggs, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon Spice Islands^® Vanilla
1/3 cup evaporated milk
¼ teaspoon Spice Islands^® Nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon Spice Islands^® Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Spray an 8×8-inch casserole pan with cooking spray.
Mix all ingredients until blended.  Pour into casserole pan, top with topping (see recipe below), bake 45-60 minutes or until firm.

Topping:

¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cup melted butter
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 teaspoon Spice Islands^® Cinnamon

Mix together, sprinkle over casserole.
Yields:  10 servings

Fresh Cranberry Sauce 

Yield:  2 Cups

1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 package (12 ounces) fresh cranberries
½ teaspoon Spice Islands^® Cinnamon
½ teaspoon Spice Islands^® Orange Peel
½ teaspoon Spice Islands^® Vanilla Extract

Mix sugar and water in medium saucepan. Bring to boil on medium-high heat. Add cranberries, cinnamon and orange peel; return to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 10 minutes or until cranberries burst and sauce begins to thicken, stirring occasionally.  Remove from heat.   Stir in vanilla. Cool to room temperature.   Cover.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

What good southern Thanksgiving meal would be complete without cornbread dressing…

Cornbread Dressing

2 tablespoons butter
1 cup chopped onions
2 stalks celery
¼ cup fresh parsley
1 ½ teaspoon Spice Islands® Sage
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
4 cups cornbread, cubed
2 cups chicken broth

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add onions and celery.  Saute until soft and translucent, about 5-8 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in parsley, thyme, salt and pepper.   In a large casserole dish combine cornbread cubes, onion mixture and chicken broth.  Bake 30-35 minutes, or until slightly golden.

Traditional Southern Cornbread Dressing

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends!