Sweet Potato Pecan Streusel Pie

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The only pie you'll need on your Thanksgiving dessert table, delicious Pumpkin pie with dark brown sugar topped with a Rich Pecan Streusel topping. Who says you need to choose pumpkin OR pecan pie?

 

This is recipe is a twist on the traditional sweet potato pie, using staple ingredients found in a Southern pantry with a German flair in having a  a rich streusel topping.

Serves 6 to 8

Ingredients:

One 9-inch commercially prepared pie crust (See Cook’s Note)

For the Sweet Potato Puree:
3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cups milk
6 tablespoons unsalted butter

For the Pie Filling:
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
A pinch of cayenne pepper
15 ounces sweet potato puree
12 evaporated milk
2 large eggs

For the Streusel:
1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Whipped Cream, for serving

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Place the crust in a baking dish and prick with a fork. Line the  pie crust with parchment paper. Fill with pie weights or dried beans. Make sure the weights are evenly distributed around the pie dish. Partially  blind bake the pie crust, until the bottom crust is just beginning to brown, about 7-8 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.

For the sweet potatoes, place a steamer insert or a mesh colander in a large pot and add enough water to reach the bottom of the steamer. Place the sweet potatoes in the steamer and bring the water to a boil. Cover the pot, lower the heat, and cook over simmering water for about 25 minutes, until very tender. Check occasionally to be sure the water does not completely evaporate.Transfer the sweet potatoes to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. With the mixer on low, gradually add the milk then butter. Process until silken. Note: the puree can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

To a large bowl, add   thee sugar, light brown sugar,  flour, cinnamon,  vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and cayenne pepper. Add the sweet potato puree, evaporated milk, and eggs. Stir to combine and set aside.

To make the streusel, combine dark brown sugar, old fashioned oats, chopped pecans, flour, butter, cinnamon, teaspoon nutmeg in a large bowl.

Add the pie filling to the prepared crust. Add the pecan streusel evenly over the pie filling.

Place the pie in the oven and bake for 60  minutes until the middle of the pie is set or a knife inserted in the center comes out clean . Allow the pie to cool before serving with whip cream.

 

Cook’s Notes:

There is nothing like a homemade pie crust. If you have the time, here is a simple recipe for a for single-crust pie  pastry (9 inches): Combine 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cut in 1/2 cup cold butter until crumbly. Gradually add 3-5 tablespoons ice water, tossing with a fork until dough holds together when pressed. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour.

Kentucky Bourbon Balls

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Photo Credit: Christin Marhling, 2018.

These boozy bite-sized treats—were developed in 1936 by Ruth Booe, co-founder of the Rebecca Ruth Candy Co. in Frankfort, Kentucky—can be rolled in powdered sugar or dipped in melted chocolate and topped with pecan halves; on the inside, the creamy center usually consists of some combination of bourbon, sugar, butter, chopped pecans, and semisweet chocolate. These trifles are chilled rather than cooked and do pack a tipsy punch, so you may wish to warn younger or teetotalling guests of their alcohol contents.

 

Makes 24

Ingredients:
1 cup finely chopped pecans nuts
5 tablespoons Kentucky bourbon
1/2 cup butter, softened
One 16-ounce  package confectioners’ sugar
8 ounces semisweet chocolate

Directions:
Place the nuts in a resealable jar. Pour the bourbon over the nuts. Cover and allow the nuts to soak overnight.

The following day, mix the butter and sugar; fold in the soaked nuts. Form into 3/4″ balls and place on a waxed paper lined baking sheet and  refrigerate overnight.

The next day, line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler over just-barely simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching. Roll the balls in the melted chocolate to coat. Place a pecan half on top of each ball and  arrange them on the prepared tray. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Waffles with Peaches and Pecan Praline Sauce

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Let me tell you about this dish…..With just one full bite off the fork, you will have thought that you have died and gone to waffle heaven with a taste of the South in your Mouth! It’s a perfect dish to serve for brunch during the month of May, as we continue carrying on a Kentucky theme. 

 

Serves 4

Ingredients:
For the Pecan Praline Sauce:
1 cup packed light brown  sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
3 ripe peaches, halved, pitted and sliced

For the Waffles:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
Rounded 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 cup whole milk
1 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons pure cane sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
Nonstick spray or melted unsalted butter, for waffle iron
Confectioners’ sugar, for garnish
Sprigs fresh mint, for garnish

 

Directions: 
For the sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the light brown sugar, butter and salt. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Whisk in the cream and cook for an additional minute, continuing to whisk. Remove from heat and stir in the pecans and peaches. Keep warm over a double boiler.

For the waffles: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cardamom and in a large bowl. Whisk together the milk, sour cream, butter, cane sugar, vanilla and eggs in a medium bowl. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and whisk until just combined. Let rest for 10 minutes.

Preheat a waffle iron and lightly spray with nonstick spray or brush with butter. Add about 1/2 cup of the batter per waffle. Close the lid and wait until the steam has stopped emerging from the cracks of the iron, about 4 minutes.

Serve the waffles with the toasted pecan praline sauce, dust with confectioner’s sugar and garnish with a sprig of mint.