a brave mama: December 2011

"sweet potat-uh pie"

i always crave my grandmother's home cooking around this time of year pretty hard core. she's a fabulous southern cooking genius and i wanna be just like her when i grow up. my most favorite of her recipes are her banana "puddin" and her macaroni and cheese, but that's not what i've been dreaming about lately . . . . it's her heavenly sweet "potat-uh pie." dear lord, it's good.

i've been off for a few days this week because the bean has been sick with croup and an ear infection, so i decided to take that time to become a baking whiz in the kitchen. i headed to the grocery store hell, went straight for the sweet potatoes and fought my way through the belligerent Christmas crowd to the butter. once i got home and looked at all my ingredients on the counter, waiting to be turned into bliss, i smiled. this is what Christmas is all about - traditions. it isn't about tenting in front of best buy for two days in the cold to get a good deal on the latest and greatest electronic. it isn't about fighting people in lines at toy stores, or stealing parking spaces in parking lots. it isn't about keeping up with the jones' and making sure to have more presents than the neighbor. it's about being a mother, with children of her own, and instilling the same values and traditions i learned when i was their age. it's about smelling sweet potato pie in the oven and becoming nostalgic. it's about family, and love, and time spent with those that make your life worthwhile.

so, here's a quick recipe to boost tradition during this holiday season. did i mention this pie is heavenly bliss?

gather your ingredients:

2 large sweet potatoes
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
9 in. pie crust, homemade if you're that talented, premade if you're like me=)
potato masher (a fork would work too, it'll just take you forever... go buy a potato masher, you'll thank me for it)
large mixing bowl
foil
counter top and oven. hopefully, you have these things already, otherwise this may not be fun for you.

this made two pies. which is for the best, as i've eaten almost a whole one by myself. but i guess it's always nice to share during the holiday season. . . .

oh, and a helper.

this is a crucial element in the making of this tradition.

ok, heat the oven to 350. peel and chop your sweet potatoes into 2 inch cubes, or at least cubes of the same size so they cook evenly. throw them in a pot, cover with water, boil until tender. mine took only about 15 minutes. then drain them and throw them in a large mixing bowl with all of the other ingredients (well, not the pie crust or your helper) and mash with your chosen potato mashing tool. i like mine a little chunky, but if you don't, keep mashing until you reach your desired consistency. make sure that everything is well mixed regardless.