Crock Pot Sweet Potatoes & Cranberries With Toasted Pecans

Chicagoland Chef du Jour's Note:

I love the idea of combining these two holiday favorites. Portions size: is based on 1/2 medium potato per person. Choose smaller or larger. Part way through the cooking I stuck a toothpic under the lid to prop it open to vent some of the steam and reduce the liquid. The original recipe did not specify high or low heat setting. *I started my crock on the low setting then kicked it up to high after a couple hours cuz I got nervous about the timing. (updates 11/2012)

• Total Time: 6 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 6 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 3 sweet potatoes, uncooked, peel, and dice
• 1 cup cranberries, fresh or 1 cup frozen cranberries
• 1 apple, peeled & diced
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup pecans, toasted

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients, EXCEPT pecans.
2. Toast pecans in the oven or dry skillet, set aside. Careful not to burn!
3. Cook for 6 - 8 hours, until the yams are tender. I stir to combine every hour or so.
4. About 1-2 hours before serving, if the mixture is too wet, prop the lid open a bit with a toothpick to let some of the steam out and thicken up the sauce.
5. Put in your favorite serving dish and top with pecans for serving.

Reviews

[NurseJaney]

Had some left-over raw sweet potatoes and fresh cranberries from the holidays, and put this together. Left the crockpot on HIGH for 4 hours, and the aroma wafted through the house all afternoon ! Did not include the pecans, personal choice, and this made a lovely side to the pork tenderloin I had in the oven. It was not at all "wet" with the lid on, and will fix this when the family is here. Thanks for posting !

[KissKiss]

I made this for Christmas Eve dinner, and I was hesitant to make a holiday dish without a stick of butter or a block of cream cheese. What a surprise winner this recipe was! I've never cooked with fresh cranberries, and they were a wonderful tart balance to the sweetness of the taters and brown sugar. I will definitely make this again! Thanks!

[pansregnig]

This is a simple recipe. It is sweet, but not overpoweringly so as candied yams can be. It's healthier too, because it doesn't have butter, but you never miss it.