November 21, 2010

my only thanksgiving recipe

One of the drawbacks (or benefits, as the case may be) of being the only one in your family who lives in an apartment is that you're simply not going to be the one to host holidays or parties. I've lived in this apartment for 14 years, I think. (Wow!) The only time I had everyone over was when I moved (though they were never all here at the same time) and on the day of Grandma M's memorial service. I do wish I lived in a big ol' house - I'd be the Christmas party house for sure.

So anyway, I've never roasted a turkey. There, I've said it. I think I've made mashed potatoes before, but that was probably 30 years ago or more. (I've got a good excuse for that one: I'm allergic to raw potato - break out in a terrible rash wherever it touches me.) However, I am usually good for bringing a dish or two to wherever the party is on Thanksgiving, and what follows is the recipe for the one I usually bring.

My friend B. asked for the recipe the other day, and I obliged... and thought I'd also share it with this space, in case others might enjoy. So - I hope you enjoy!

I'll give you the basics (I think I got it from a magazine ad in the 80's), and then the things I do to change it up, too, in case that appeals to you.

Berry Mallow* Yam Bake**
*I nixed the marshmallows years ago - it's already pretty darn sweet!
** hey, I googled "berry mallow yam bake" and this recipe is still alive on the interwebs!

combine:
½ cup flour
½ cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup rolled oats
1 tsp cinnamon

cut in until mixture resembles coarse crumbs:
⅓ cup butter the original said margarine, but I know better these days!

toss 1 cup of this mixture with:
2-17oz cans yams***
2 cups fresh cranberries
***
of couse, nowdays the cans are a bit smaller. I use the 29 oz can. you can also use fresh, peeled sweet potatoes or yams, cut in 2" chunks - though you should bake it a little longer!

Place in a 1½ cup casserole, top with remaining crumbs. Bake at 350ยบ for 35 minutes.

Simple, right? I usually make at least a double batch of this for my family. For the church dinner, I use 3 large cans of yams. I like to stir in chopped candied ginger and/or fresh orange zest with the yams & berries. And we've liked the resulting heat when I added a couple teaspoons of chipotle powder to the sugar mixture. At any rate, it's a really pretty dish; it's nice to have a non-beige item on the plate at T'giving! (Yeah, I've never taken a picture of it, so no photos here. Sorry.) Oh, and if you want to add the marshmallows, the original recipe calls for 1½ cups sprinkled on when it's finished baking, then under the broiler until lightly browned. I think that was how I set my oven on fire in 1982!

love, KQ

1 comment:

Bertamom said...

I think I'm gonna try cooking up some fresh sweet potatoes to use - either roasting or steaming them - I'll let you know how it works out!