Yam Puree Recipes

SWEET POTATO PUREE

Steps:

• Place a steamer insert or a mesh colander in a large pot and add enough water to reach the bottom of the steamer. Place the sweet potatoes in the steamer and bring the water to a boil. Cover the pot, lower the heat, and cook over simmering water for about 25 minutes, until very tender. Check occasionally to be sure the water doesn't boil away.
• Transfer the sweet potatoes to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. With the mixer on low, slowly add the half-and-half, orange zest, orange juice, cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. With the mixer still on low, add the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until incorporated. Taste for seasonings and mix until smooth. Serve hot.

SILKY SWEET POTATO PUREE

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position; heat to 425 degrees. Place potatoes on a foil-lined pan; bake 45 to 60 minutes, until tender. Peel when cool enough to handle.
• Puree with salt and pepper in a food processor. With motor running, gradually add milks through feeder tube, then butter. Process until silken. (Can make up to 2 days ahead; store in an airtight container.) Reheat and serve.

ROASTED YAM PURéE WITH BROWN BUTTER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Roast yams until tender when pierced with knife, about 1 hour. Cool slightly.
• Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Cook until butter turns light brown, about 5 minutes.
• Scoop flesh from yams into processor. Process until smooth. Blend in brown butter. Season to taste with salt. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm in microwave before serving.)

CARROT AND YAM PUREE

Steps:

• In a saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic. Add the carrots, yams, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cook for 5 minutes until slightly softened. Add the stock and water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the carrots are tender, about 25 minutes. Using a ladle, remove 2 cups of the cooking liquid and reserve. Using an immersion blender, puree the mixture until slightly chunky, adding the reserved cooking liquid, 1/4 cup at a time, if needed. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Cook's Note: The carrot mixture can also be drained in a colander and working in batches, blended in a food processor or blender.

SWEET POTATO & CARROT PUREE

Steps:

• Cook potatoes and carrots in a large pot of boiling salted water until very tender, about 25 minutes. Drain and return to pot.
• Add sugar and 2 tbsp butter.
• Cook until almost all liquid evaporates, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes.
• Mix in remaining butter, sour cream and cloves.
• Working in batches, puree mixture in food processor.
• Season with salt & pepper.
• Sprinkle top with cinnamon if desired.

SWEET POTATO PUREE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cover potatoes with water. Bring to a boil; cook until tender when pierced with the tip of a paring knife, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain; puree in food processor.
• Add flavorings, if desired; puree. Maple-Butter: Add 2 tablespoons each melted butter and maple syrup. Serve puree with more butter and syrup. Orange-Ginger: Add 1/4 cup each milk and orange juice, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger. Lime-Cayenne: Add 1 tablespoon lime juice and a pinch of cayenne. Thin with a bit of cooking liquid, if needed.
• Season with salt and pepper; serve.

PUREE OF YAMS

Steps:

• Place yams in a saucepan and add cold water to cover. Bring to the boil and cook 30 minutes. Drain.
• When yams are cool enough to handle peel them. Cut yams into 1-inch cubes and put them through food mill or potato ricer.
• Put potatoes into a skillet and add butter, cream and milk. Heat thoroughly, stirring.

GARNET YAM PUREE

Steps:

• Place yams in large pot. Pour enough cold water over to cover by 2 inches. Sprinkle with coarse salt and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium; boil gently until yams are very tender, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain well; reserve pot. Let yams stand in strainer at least 10 minutes and up to 30 minutes.
• Working in batches, press yams through potato ricer back into same pot or mash yams with potato masher. Combine cream and butter in glass measuring cup. Microwave on high just until warm, about 45 seconds. Add cream mixture to yams and mix with potato masher or whisk until puree is almost smooth. Stir in lime juice. Season to taste with coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Rewarm over medium-low heat until heated through, stirring often. Garnish with chives.