Southern Sweet Potato Pie
Contributed by: News Canada
Recipe Tips - Get a free guide to perfect pies
By J. C. Carroll
(NC) - When it comes to dessert decisions for a family meal, nothing compares to the aromatic pleasure of a homemade pie baking in the oven. Even at the end of a pretty big feast, there's always room for a piece of warm and flaky, fresh-baked pie.
Not every pie, however, is a masterpiece.
"Practice makes perfect," says Sonia Derhak, spokesperson for the Canadian division of ACH Food Companies, home of Beehive & Crown Corn Syrup. "And yet, there is a shortcut.
"The most valuable tip I could give you is to follow the recommendations in our booklet Perfect Pies For Every Season. The booklet contains more than a dozen recipes for simply tantalizing desserts such as Raisin Walnut Pie, Coconut Oatmeal Pie, Lemon Chiffon Pie, Caramel Custard Pie, CranApple Meringue Pie and many more, so be sure to look for your complimentary copy at your favourite supermarket or visit achfood.ca.
"Our test kitchens experiment with ingredients all the time," she continued. "As a result, ACH home economists have found that in every recipe, a touch of corn syrup produces the silkiest pie. This holds true in pumpkin pies, fruit pies, nut pies, custard pies, and meringue pies. They are all better tasting and better textured when corn syrup is in the filling."
Different and adventurous
Asked about her favourite recipe, Derhak mentioned a few, then added: "I always try to serve something different or something more adventurous. A real winner along these lines is Southern Sweet Potato Pie. It's a novelty to Canadians, but a grand Old South tradition.
"Sweet potatoes and yams are so nutritious - and just like carrots, and cheese, and pumpkin, they can be turned into such special desserts.
"Actually, sweet potato pie does look a lot like a pumpkin pie," Derhak points out. "They have the same colour, same texture, and their aroma is similar because they both pair so well with ginger and nutmeg."
And the taste?
"As different as milk chocolate is to dark chocolate," she said. "Sweet potatoes are an entirely different plant species. Your sweet potato pie will have a slightly more savoury taste, not quite as sweet, and its texture may be more firm."
Serve a piece of Southern Sweet Potato Pie with a dollop of whipped cream. This makes it an elegant conclusion to a Holiday dinner, and a tasty dessert year-round. The booklet Perfect Pies For Every Season is available free-of-charge in supermarkets this month, or it can be ordered by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: ACH Food Companies, Inc., 2730 Brighton Rd., Unit B2, Oakville, ON L6H 5T4.
For those who've heard of sweet potato pie for years, but never tasted it, this is a great recipe for the Southern classic.
Prep Time: 15 minutes - Bake Time: 1 hour - Chill Time: 2 Hours
Ingredients:
- 2 cups mashed sweet potatoes* or yams
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup BeeHive or Crown Golden Corn Syrup
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Spice Islands ground Saigon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon Spice Islands ground nutmeg
- 1 (9 inch/23 cm) unbaked deep-dish pie crust
Directions:
MIX together mashed sweet potatoes, cream, corn syrup and eggs using a wire whisk. Add remaining ingredients; blend well.
POUR filling into pie crust. Place pie on a baking sheet.
BAKE in preheated 375 F//190 C oven for 55 to 60 minutes, or until knife inserted in the center of pie comes out clean.
COOL on wire rack for 2 hours before serving.
RECIPE NOTE:
To make mashed sweet potatoes, peel 1-1/2 pounds/750g sweet potatoes and cut into 2-inch/5 cm chunks. Place in a saucepan; cover with water and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 15 minutes, or until potatoes are soft. Drain off water and mash in a mixer or food processor to get a smooth consistency. Cool before using.
Serving Size: Makes 1 Pie