Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Brown Butter and Sage
This velvety, flavorful side complements any fall feast, whether it’s roasted chicken or pork. The brown butter adds a rich nuttiness, while the sage gives it a cozy, autumn vibe.
Ingredients:
3 large sweet potatoes (about 2 pounds), peeled and cubed
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
6 fresh sage leaves
½ cup heavy cream (or milk for a lighter version)
2 tablespoons maple syrup
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
Method:
1. Place the cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Cook for about 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender. Drain well.
2. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sage leaves and swirl the pan occasionally until the butter begins to turn golden brown and smells nutty (about 4-5 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside. Discard the crispy sage leaves (or keep them as a garnish).
3. In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or potato masher to whip the drained sweet potatoes until smooth. Slowly add the heavy cream, maple syrup, and cinnamon (if using) while continuing to whip until light and fluffy.
4. Drizzle the brown butter into the whipped potatoes and mix until well combined. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Transfer to a serving dish, drizzle with any extra brown butter, and garnish with the crispy sage leaves if desired.
Vanilla Bean French Toast
Prep this fragrant French toast the night before, and then bake it in the oven right before brunch—easy, peasy!
Ingredients:
1 loaf cinnamon bread, cut into 1-inch slices
6 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups half-and-half
¼ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
½ cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons butter, plus more for greasing
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fresh berries and confectioner’s sugar, for topping
Method:
1. Preheat an oven to 425°. Butter or grease the bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Set aside, Arrange the bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast until the bread is lightly golden brown and dry, about 7 minutes, flipping the slices about halfway through the cooking time. Transfer the bread slices to a wire rack and let cool to room temperature.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, brown sugar, lemon zest and a pinch of salt. With the tip of a paring knife, scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean halves into the egg mixture and whisk to combine; reserve the vanilla bean halves. In batches, dip the bread slices into the egg mixture, turning the slices to coat them evenly and letting the bread sit in the bowl for about 2 minutes to absorb the liquid. Arrange the bread slices in the prepared baking dish, overlapping them slightly. Pour any remaining egg mixture in the bowl evenly over the bread in the dish. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
3. To bake, preheat the oven to 350°. Transfer the dish, still covered with the foil, to the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover the dish, increase the oven temperature to 375° and continue baking until the French toast is puffed up and browned, about 15 minutes more. While the French toast is cooking, in a small saucepan over low heat, combine the maple syrup and the 2 tablespoons of butter. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter has melted, about 4 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. To serve, pour the maple syrup mixture evenly over the French toast. Garnish with the reserved vanilla bean halves, if desired, and serve with berries and a dusting of confectioner’s sugar.
Maple Blueberry Butter
Transform traditional waffles or pancakes with a pat of this seasonal butter.
Ingredients:
½ cup fresh blueberries
6 tablespoons good-quality maple syrup
1 cup salted butter, at room temperature
Method:
1. Combine the blueberries and syrup in a small, heavy-bottomed pan. Bring to a boil and cook for a minute or so until blueberries are softened. Remove from the heat, smash some of the berries up with a fork, and allow to cool down to room temperature.
2. Once the berry mixture is cool, process the mixture and the butter together in a food processor (stopping to scrape the sides down as necessary) until well-combined. Serve immediately with waffles or pancakes; the butter also keeps for at least a week in the fridge or for several months if wrapped and stored in the freezer.
Mashed Squash & Maple Syrup
Sweet maple syrup balances the inherent nuttiness of Kabocha squash in this simply amazing side dish.
Ingredients:
1 Kabocha squash
2 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons maple syrup
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Cut squash in half; scoop out seeds. Cut into 2-inch pieces; peel, rinse, and drain.
2. Steam the squash, covered, over simmering water until tender, about 25 to 35 minutes. Drain squash and transfer to a large bowl.
3. Add the butter and some of the maple syrup. Mash and taste. Add more maple syrup, if desired, and salt and pepper to taste.
