Healthier Sweet Potato Casserole

Every holiday season, I give thanks for a small yellow cookbook which has been with my family for over 20 years. My dad bought this cookbook for my mom back in 1983 when we lived in Franklin, Tennessee.

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Over the years this book has become stained, dog eared, and even torn in a few places due to our constant use and reference, otherwise known as loved. Her decadent banana bread recipe and of course, my all time favorite, sweet potatoes have become a staple in our family. When family members or friends are sick or feeling blue, her moist banana bread is the best of remedies. But, her sweet potato casserole, topped with delicious crunch and heart warming brown sugar brings a smile to everyone’s face and signals that the holidays have arrived. 

If you are at a loss for what to make for tonight or tomorrow’s big meal, I highly recommend adding this as a healthier side item. Over the years my mom and I have tested out different versions of this recipe. Two years ago we finally settled on a healthier version which also passes the taste test of born and bred southerners who are more concerned with taste than anything else.

So, head to your pantry and refrigerator to gather the 11 simple ingredients to make this delicious, and filling side item.

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A Healthier Version of Miss Daisy’s Sweet Potatoes

1 large can yams (you can use fresh if you desire and cook them ahead of time0

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2 egg whites

1/4 cup Smart Balance

1/2 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients, both wet and dry, together in a large stand mixer bowl or a bowl with which you can use a hand mixer.

Pour well mixed ingredients into a 9×13.

.Topping

1 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup flour

1 cup chopped nuts

1/4 cup butter

Now mix the topping together in bowl, insuring the butter is cut in with the other ingredients

Once all your topping is mixed well, sprinkle on top of the sweet potato mixture.

Bake for 35 minutes in a 350 degree oven and enjoy!  The picture above is clearly before it goes in the oven. Trust me, after it goes in the oven it is a gooey, delicious mixture of brown sugar, nuts, and sweet potatoes! For an added sweet bite, cover part of the sweet potato mixture in mini marshmallows when there are 2-3 minutes left in the oven!

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Santa’s Elves Busy at Work

Santa’s elves were busy at work today!

Breakfast

First thing this morning, Bo and I enjoyed breakfast with his family as we stayed there last night after our oyster feast !

poachAfter a relaxing breakfast over the local and national newspapers, Bo drove me to my family’s house. This trip will be interesting as I can’t drive. Unfortunately, my Pennsylvania license expired 2 weeks ago. I know where I’ll be spending my January 3rd holiday.

Bo enjoyed the annual father-son golf tournament today while I spent the day with my mom. The holidays are a bit more stressful than normal due to the fact that my grandma has been in the hospital for the past 3 weeks. Both she and my 91 year old grandfather, who is now home alone, both need extra care which is leaving us a bit stretched. But, I was happy to help by spending the day with my mom, laughing and smiling together as we made progress on our to-do list!

To Do List:

-Wrap presents

-Pick up the dry cleaning

-Pick up some groceries, flowers, and gift baskets at Fresh Market

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We found the most gorgeous gift baskets at Fresh Market including an adorable tea themed basket complete with Savannah Bee Company Honey, 5 teas, and a mug!

-Enjoy a quick sushi lunch in the comfort of our car.

We even had a woman stick her head into our car commenting how delicious our sushi was!

Fresh Market’s sushi was delicious and made for us as we waited.

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-Deliver holiday thank you baskets on my grandparent’s behalf to their doctors and nurses

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Spend some quality time with my grandfather

Relax and rejuvenate our souls after a good cry with wine and cheese!  photo (21)photo (19) photo (20)

Enjoy a relaxing dinner with Bo and my parents at the newly re-opened Crystal Beer Parlor .I grew up enjoying many a family dinner downtown at the original Crystal Beer Parlor with my grandparents. They served the best Shirley Temples in town! Tonight we enjoyed a different drink of choice but still had a wonderful time. The food was delicious, the burgers were perfectly prepared, the beer was cold, and the service was friendly.

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Finally, our last item on the to do list is to enjoy delicious cookies dipped in cold skim milk while watching a movie. Really is there a better end to the day? I fully believe the holidays, and most of life, is about moderation. I run each morning for sanity and a little calorie burn so I don’t have to stress over that extra cookie or delicious, juicy bite of burger.

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I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas eve with you and your families. Tomorrow I’m looking forward to an early morning run before I head into the kitchen for a day of preparations. I’m spending tomorrow night with Bo and his family, enjoying the annual Christmas Eve church service and then their family Christmas dinner. Christmas Day will be celebrated back with my parents over a traditional turkey and presents.

Question: What does your family eat for Christmas dinner? I’m not crazy about my family’s turkey choice this year as I feel like it’s a like a Thanksgiving repeat.

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Easy Party H’orderves for a Crowd

Happy Monday! Did you have a good day? I enjoyed a great start to my week today after sleeping more than 12 hours last night!  After our busy weekend we both needed the sleep! This weekend we were constantly going:

Friday night I baked the night away in comfy pjs

Saturday we spent the day cooking and prepping for our party

Saturday night we donned t tacky Christmas sweaters with our closest friends

I also enjoyed my 2nd Monday evening Core Fusion Cardio class. Braxton kicked our butts tonight with mountain climbers and squats. I was definitely dripping sweat by the end of tonight’s class and wanted nothing more than a home cooked meal.

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Tonight’s dinner included leftover ham, grilled pineapple, and garlic gold topped steamed broccoli. It was so simple but so good!

Per the requests of many readers, I wanted to share the some of our easy party h’orderve recipes from Saturday night’s party. Each of these recipes works well with a crowd of 20-30 people.

Alcoholic Eggnog

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Alcoholic Eggnog Ingredients

6 eggs
2 extra egg yolks
4 cups whole milk
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons of sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1 cup bourbon

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Alcoholic Eggnog Directions

Start by whisking the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, and salt in a large pan until well-blended. Keep on whisking while you slowly pour in the milk until it is completely mixed-in. Next, set the pan on your stove’s burner and turn it to the lowest possible setting. Continuously whisk ingredients for 25-30 minutes or until the mixture reaches 160°F and will coat the underside of a spoon.

Next, remove the mixture from heat and strain it into a large-sized bowl, making sure to get out any pieces of cooked egg. Now stir in the bourbon, vanilla, and nutmeg, and transfer your mixture to a covered dish. Refrigerate the mix for at least 4 hours before proceeding.

Finally, when you’re ready to serve your eggnog with alcohol, grab the heavy cream and whip it well. Now just fold in the chilled mix, pour, serve and enjoy!

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Giada’s Cheese Stuffed Dates with Prosciutto

  • 1/4 cup (2 ounces) goat cheese, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup (2 ounces) mascarpone cheese, a room temperature
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 16 Medjool dates (12 ounces), pitted
  • 8 thin slices prosciutto, halved lengthwise

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Special equipment: 16 toothpicks or cocktail picks

In a small bowl, mix together the cheeses and basil and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Gently pull the dates apart and stuff with about 1/2 teaspoon of the cheese mixture. Close the dates around the filling. Wrap a piece of prosciutto around each date and secure with a toothpick.

Arrange the stuffed dates on a platter and serve.

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Hot Seafood Dip

Serves 24

  • 1.25 lbs unpeeled, small shrimp
  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 2 cups mayonnaise
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/2 c chopped green onion
  • 2 jalapeno peppers
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 3 drops hot sauce
  • 1 lb crab meat
  • 1/2 tsp salt

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Directions

  • Peel shrimp, devein, and cook shrimp in butter in a medium skillet over medium high heat for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  • Drain and set aside.
  • Combine mayo and next 5 ingredients in a large bowl.
  • Add shrimp, crabmeat, and salt. Stir well.
  • Spoon into a greased 13×9 inch baking dish.
  • Bake, uncovered, at 375 for 25 minutes or until mixture is cooked thoroughly.

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Hope you enjoy these recipes!

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