Every week one of the chefs from Harmons Grocery Stores will be answering your toughest culinary questions. No question is too big or too small if your question is selected we'll invite you to take part in an upcoming cooking class at Harmons cooking school. Email your questions to askachef@harmonsgrocery.com.

This week we're tackling a Thanksgiving favorite — sweet potatoes! While most of us will see the gooey marshmallow-topped casserole on our Thanksgiving table, I want to share some alternative ideas in case you are looking to mix things up a bit this holiday season.

At my house I love to serve my family twice baked sweet potatoes piled with sweet or savory toppings. This twist on the classic sweet potato casserole is a fun new way to enjoy this holiday tradition.

Twice Baked Sweet Potato with Pecans & Maple Brown Butter Caramel

Ingredients

• 6-8 Sweet Potatoes (I like to use the white variety, but orange is good too!)
• Kosher Salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Wash outside of potatoes and allow to dry.
3. Rub the outside with kosher salt and wrap in heavy foil.
4. Place on baking sheet and allow to cook until fork tender.
6. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
7. Unwrap potatoes and cut in half.
8. Carefully remove the pulp from potatoes and place in large mixing bowl, mash until consistency desired.
9. Make Maple Brown Butter Caramel (recipe below).

Maple Brown Butter Caramel

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon maple extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

Directions

1. Heat a large saucepan, over medium-low heat, add butter and cook until butter turns golden brown and light brown sediment forms on bottom.
2. Whisk in sugar and buttermilk. Turn heat to medium.
3. Whisk together until sugar dissolves.
4. When butter mixture starts to boil, slowly whisk in the baking soda, maple and vanilla. The mixture will bubble up.
5. Remove 1 1/4 cup syrup and place the rest in airtight container for later use.
* Caramel will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Reheat before serving.
6. Finish sweet potato mixture following the steps below.

Sweet Potato Mixture

Ingredients

• Sweet potato pulp
• 1 cup caramel
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• Pecan pieces
• Mini marshmallows, if desired

Directions

1. Smash pulp, heavy cream, caramel and salt together in large mixing bowl, or whip with mixer for smoother texture.
2. Refill potato with pulp. Top with pecan pieces and remaining syrup.
3. Place in oven for 20-25 minutes or until reheated.
4. If using marshmallow place over top last 5 minutes of cooking.

If you want to skip the sweet, try this delicious savory version featuring cheddar and bacon:

Twice Baked Sweet Potato with Cheddar & Bacon

Ingredients- 6-8 White Sweet Potatoes

• Kosher Salt
• 1 1/2 cup heavy cream, slightly heated
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon roasted garlic, smashed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 lb. Beehive Barely Buzzed Cheddar (or favorite cheddar cheese) shredded
• 1 lb. Harmons peppered bacon, cooked & crumbled
• 2 tablespoons chives, minced

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Wash outside of potatoes and allow to dry. Rub the outside with kosher salt and wrap in heavy foil.
2. Place on baking sheet and allow to cook until fork tender. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Unwrap potatoes and cut the potatoes in half.
3. Carefully remove the pulp from potatoes and place in large mixing bowl.
4. Smash pulp, heavy cream, eggs, roasted garlic, salt, pepper & nutmeg together in large mixing bowl, or whip with mixer for smoother texture.
5. Stir in cheese. Refill potato shells with puree. Place in oven for 18-20 minutes. Sprinkle with bacon pieces and return to oven for 5 minutes. Remove allow to set-up 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chives of desired.

Both of these recipes also work as a sweet potato casserole if you prefer to go the more traditional route. All you need to do is prepare the sweet potato as directed above, then place the filling back into a casserole dish instead of the sweet potato shells. Follow the baking and topping directions above and enjoy!

This holiday Harmons wants to help you share your love with great food! Visit our brand new website and order your complete holiday meals, delicious party trays, Food For Thought Holiday Edition. It features some of our favorite holiday recipes created by Harmons chefs. You can also check out our other Ask a Chef recipes here. From mashed potatoes to tips for making the perfect turkey, we have the recipes to help make your holiday a success.

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