I sing the praises of the sheet cake for big holiday and family gatherings. Sure, they are not showstoppers like tiered and layered confections artfully piped and swirled. They aren’t tabletop sculptures like molded Bundt cakes. But they are easy to make, easy to serve and feed a ravenous crowd. And for a busy Thanksgiving feast, what more could you want? I go full Southern … [Read more...] about Sweet Potato Sheet Cake with Caramel Icing
Sweet potato
Hot Honey Brown Butter Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are an absolute staple on the southern Thanksgiving table, and the general preference seems to be for very sweet sweet potatoes. I’ve never been a big fan of the marshmallow topped variety, but I do go for Candied Sweet Potatoes with Pecan Streusel or a casserole with cider, maple and orange. A few years ago, I veered over to the savory side (to … [Read more...] about Hot Honey Brown Butter Sweet Potatoes
Vegetable Marinara – A Very Useful Healthy Sauce
I cook. A lot. You know that. But I am not always motivated to prepare myself an elaborate meal every day of the week. And I certainly have days when I have been rushing around or testing recipes that do not a meal make (yes, I have had hours in the kitchen producing only brownies and cake, or several different kinds of bread). But I try my best to make my regular, at home … [Read more...] about Vegetable Marinara – A Very Useful Healthy Sauce
Sweet Potato and Country Ham Gratin
Sometimes, the side dishes are the best part of the meal. That’s where this comes from. I had a meal restaurant meal that was generally unremarkable, but for a dish ordered for the table as something of an afterthought. It inspired me. That dish was a slightly overwrought, oddly-shaped plate with a small swipe of béchamel sauce topped with roasted sweet potatoes and a … [Read more...] about Sweet Potato and Country Ham Gratin
Sweet Potato Pralines
I aspire to be, but am not much of a candy maker. I get a little nervous about the candy thermometer and the exactitude. In fact, I first started making pralines when I learned how to do them in the microwave. But I have been experimenting and expanding for awhile, and have come to discover making candy is not nearly as intimidating as I had feared. Sure, it takes some … [Read more...] about Sweet Potato Pralines
