Chunky Yams and Apples

Yams. About twice a year I get a craving for some. My mom always made the type out of the can, with marshmallows melted on top. Still does. Every year. In the same dish. An oval cream colored casserole with fainted gold leaves printed on the sides. When I grew up and started making Thanksgiving dinner on my own, I tried several sweet potato/yam recipes. For years, I made the mashed type, tasted almost like pumpkin pie filling with a pecan brown sugar topping. They were yummy, but I grew tired of the dish after years of making it, and gravitated toward yams with chunks of apples and a sweet, buttery, not to spiced coating. Every time I fly through Atlanta, I go to Paschals ( airport version). It's a Southern restaurant, and they have really yummy candied yams. I've experimented with several recipes trying to duplicate that texture and flavor. This one is close (with the addition of apples). Another great make ahead dish. You can make it a day or even two ahead, and on the day of feasting, take it out and bake. More time for watching the parade. Or planning Friday shopping. Or playing in the Turkey Bowl.

Absolutely NO IDEA why Tay is wearing a BYU Law shirt?

Justin, my nephew started asking everyone in the family (back in September) if they would be attending. Not if they would be attending Thanksgiving dinner, if they would be attending THE Turkey Bowl. Taylor, our sports superstar, is the female rep. in the picture. The rest of us womenfolk :) are back at the homestead, getting dinner ready.

Chunky Yams and Apples
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4 yams, about 8 cups cooked (after peeling)

1 apple, peeled, cored and chunked

6 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

dash salt

additional brown sugar for topping

Place the yams, sliced in half, skin on, in a large pot of water. Bring to boil and cook for about 20-30 minutes, or until soft and skins are beginning to peel away from yam. Remove from water and let cool. Peel and cut into large chunks. Set in greased 9x13 or large casserole dish. Peel and cut an apple into small chunks. Place apple chunks on microwave safe plate and cook for 3 minutes on high. Add to yams in casserole. In microwave or small saucepan, melt butter, add lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Pour over yams and apples in dish. Crumble about 1/4 to 1/2 cup additional brown sugar over top of yams. Cover and refrigerate if using later. Bake covered with foil at 350 for 30- 45 minutes, until yams are heated through and sugars are bubbling.

Tips:

- I prefer apples that are not too tart, McIntosh or Jonathan's work well.

-You can double this dish and use the same size pan, the layer of yams will be thicker, and require about 10-15 minutes more baking time.

-If baking after refrigerating, let dish sit out of refrigerator for about 30 minutes, uncovered, or bake for an additional 15 minutes.

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