Serves8
- Active Time:15 min
- Start to Finish:1 1/4 hr
November 2006
-
3
pounds
large sweet potatoes, peeled and halved crosswise
-
1
cup
packed light brown sugar
-
1/2
stick unsalted butter
-
1/4
cup
water
-
1/4
teaspoon
salt
-
1/4 to 1/3
cup
bourbon
-
Preheat oven to 375°F.
-
Cut each potato half lengthwise into fourths. Steam potatoes on a steamer rack set over boiling water, covered, until just tender, 10 to 15 minutes, then cool, uncovered. Transfer to a buttered 3-quart shallow baking dish.
-
Simmer brown sugar, butter, water, and salt, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved and syrup is thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in bourbon to taste. Drizzle syrup over potatoes and bake in middle of oven, basting occasionally, until syrup is thickened, about 1 1/4 hours.
Cooks' note: Sweet potatoes may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Reheat before serving.