Yams!

MAPLE CANDIED YAMS

1 stick butter 4 or 5 large fresh yams or sweet potatoes 1/2 cup maple syrup 1/4 cup dark brown sugar 1 tsp. cinnamon OR 1 tsp. vanilla 1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg 1/2 tsp. freshly grated ginger root 1/2 tsp. sea salt 2 to 2 1/2 cups mini marshmallows (optional)...a definite for Nurse Tiffany, maybe on only 1/2 of the dish Preheat oven to 400°F. Peel yams or sweet potatoes (either may be used). Cut into 1 inch cubes or wedges.Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish generously.Arrange yams in baking dish.In a saucepan, melt butter, and stir sugar until dissolved over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup water and spices.Bring to a boil, add maple syrup; reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Pour butter mixture over the yams, turning them over to coat well. Cover the yams tightly with aluminum foil and bake on center rack in oven, basting the potatoes with the butter syrup once or twice during the baking for about 45 minutes or until fork tender.When the potatoes are done, remove foil. Bake on the upper third of the oven at 475°F until the syrup has thickened and the potatoes are just beginning to caramelize (about 20 minutes - but watch carefully and do not allow them to burn; if they are browning too quickly reduce oven temperature). Cooks Note: If adding mini-marshmallows, spread them evenly over the top of the potatoes at this time, and broil for 5-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Baste with additional butter before serving.Variation: Use honey or Karo syrup instead of the maple syrup; add 1/4 cup frozen orange concentrate. Omit cinnamon; use vanilla.  Submitted by: CM   Bloggers note:   I always enjoy the marshmallow sweet potatoes at Thanksgiving...in fact I eat them last because they are like a dessert.  I wanted to make a slightly different version for dad - thank you cooks.com, again - that uses the whole yam vs. a can.  One of the side effects of radiation is the altering of the taste buds, potentially causing a metallic type of taste, therefore my desire to avoid canned products.  I am hoping these turn out to be a soft, tasty and nutritious meal and maybe even help us to look forward to November when radiation and cancer will be behind us... I just mixed up some Lemon Jello to have today as well!  I think that I am going to start mixing up flavors of Jello for variety.