ALMetro360

A Taste of the Holidays A RTICLE AND P HOTOS BY S TACY H ARRIS W HEN THE HOLIDAY SEASON ROLLS AROUND , SO DO COOLER TEMPERATURES , TWINKLING LIGHTS AND A MOUNTAIN OF DELICIOUS HOLIDAY FOODS . W HEN THE LAST LEAF HAS FALLEN AND WHEN THE THERMOSTAT CRINKLES , IT ' S TIME TO POUR THE HOT CHOCOLATE AND START COOKING . T HE HOLIDAY SEASON ALWAYS BRINGS OUT THE BEST IN OUR CULINARY CREATIVITY , SO THIS YEAR GATHER YOUR FAMILY AROUND THE TABLE AND GET READY TO DIG INTO TWO OF MY FAVORITE RECIPES FOR THE HOLIDAYS . S OUTHERN S WEET P OTATO P IE Southern Sweet Potato Pie is definitely a favorite in my house. Here in the South, sweet potatoes grow just about anywhere. This time of year, we harvest the potatoes and allow them to cure for about 10 days in a cool place. You would be amazed with the affects of this curing time. The sugars are able to develop making the potatoes ultra sweet. This recipe is absolutely my favorite. I’ve worked to perfect it through the years. I wanted a pie that had the perfect amount of sweetness without hiding the flavor of the sweet potatoes. Instead of meringue or ordinary whipped cream, I’ve made a cream cheese whipped cream that adds the richness, but not the sweetness you need for this pie. To top it off (literally), I add candied pecans. Add all of these components together, and you’ve got the perfect pie! Healthy too! Ingredients: S WEET P OTATO F ILLING Southern Sweet Potato Pie/ Using Fresh Sweet Potatoes 3 cups sweet potatoes (1 1/2 pounds), cooled and mashed 1/4 cup butter, slightly melted but not hot 1/2 cup Alaga Original Cane Syrup 1/2 cup brown sugar 3 large eggs 1 cup heavy cream, cold 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg Pinch of ground cloves H OMEMADE C RUST 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3/4 cups unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), very cold 1/3 cup Crisco vegetable shortening, very cold 6 to 8 tablespoons ice water, plus more if dough is too thick 1/4 cup whipping cream, for brushing on the edges of crust F OR THE L USCIOUS C REAM C HEESE W HIPPED C REAM 1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese, softened 2 cups heavy whipping cream 1/4 cup Light Alaga Original Cane Syrup 2 Tablespoons powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Pinch of salt 12 AL/ Metro 360 www.almetro360.com THE DISH ..................................................................................................................................