Mashed Sweet Potatoes

I recently saw sweet potatoes in the take out case at Whole Foods and it inspired me to get a little more creative with my sweet spuds.  I roast sweet potatoes at least once a week for Littlest.  She adores them and they are so healthy, loaded with vitamins A & C, beta carotene and good fiber.  Sweet potatoes are actually one of the healthiest and cleanest carbohydrates you can eat.

With Thanksgiving around the corner and sweet potatoes on my mind, I came up with this mashed version in hopes of finding something all of the Littles might enjoy this season.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (2 good sized sweet potatoes)

3/4 cup orange juice

1 cinnamon stick

2 Tbs brown sugar

1/3 c dried cranberries

Fill the pot to cover the sweet potatoes and boil until tender, about 30 minutes.

While the potatoes are boiling, simmer orange juice and cinnamon stick over very low heat, just to warm the  juice and infuse the cinnamon.  Add the dried cranberries towards the end of the simmering just to plump them up and distribute all the flavors.

When the potatoes are tender to the fork, drain well, return to pot and mash with fork or ricer depending on the consistency you prefer.  Once potatoes are mashed to your liking, add orange juice mixture slowly and stir into potatoes.  Add brown sugar and continue to stir until well incorporated.  You may or may not need all of the juice mixture depending on the texture and consistency you desire.  If you find you need more liquid after adding all of your juice, add a little cream or milk to thicken it up.

The Littles gave this sweet, tart mashed sweet potato recipe two thumbs up.  I hope you will too.

Do you have any quick and easy sweet potato recipes to share?