I know we’re all busy with holiday preparations, so I’m going to keep today’s post short and sweet. And the sweet is quite literal. In honor of the best eating holiday around, I thought I’d share my mother’s recipe for my favorite Thanksgiving dish – Candied Yams. Mmmmmm. They are so good. I never quite get mine to taste as good as hers, but they’re close enough to thoroughly enjoy.
Candied Yams
Wrap 5 large Red Garnet Yams in foil (poke a few vent holes with a short knife in each) and bake in a 400 degree oven until soft (about 1 to 1 1/2 hours). Let cool.
(Red Garnet Yams are much better than sweet potatoes, but if you can’t find them, sweet potatoes will work, too.)
Unwrap yams, remove skin, and slice lengthwise into thin, oblong strips about 1/4 inch thick. Lay flat in a shallow baking dish (jelly roll pans work great), fitting them close together so almost no pan is visible. You will probably need at least 2 pans. Sprinkle generously with brown sugar. Drizzle (or spoon) melted butter over the yams until all the sugar is moistened. Bake in a 400 degree oven again until yams get dark (sticky and candied) around edges (usually 45-60 minutes).
Use a metal spatula to remove yams. Serve in a shallow dish.
Old-fashioned. Simple. And delicious!
The other sweet I’m offering today is a free book. WooHoo!!! Who doesn’t love a great Christmas story to curl up with around the holidays?
I had the honor of meeting author Jolene Navarro at a library event in the small Texas town of Llano. I snatched up a copy of her latest release, A Texas Christmas Wish, knowing all of my Petticoats & Pistols friends would love the chance to win a signed copy.
So, to enter for a chance to win, simply leave a comment about your favorite Thanksgiving dish.
Have a blessed day tomorrow with family and friends. May your hearts be filled with gratitude and your bellies be filled with delicious food.
For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Karen is a firm believer in the power of happy endings. . . and ice cream. She is an avid cross-stitcher, and makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.
Wow. Now I’m even hungrier than I was before. Hm. My favorite Thanksgiving dish. I think I’d have to say the seven layer salad.
Oh, those candied yams look delicious! Sweet potato casserole is a favorite around my house.
Happy Thanksgiving, Karen, to you and your family!
My daughter always wants green beans made with bacon
Hi Karen,
I’ve never heard of yams prepared the way your mom does–sliced oblong. I’m going to have to give those a try. They sound wonderful! Have a great Thanksgiving!
How nice that you met Jolene Navarro. I would like to read her Christmas themed deut!
My favorite Thanksgiving Day dish is my paternal Grandma Catherine’s hamburger meat, onion & bread stuffing! Love it! I’m not sure why I only make it at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
OOPS! debut
Hello Karen! Happy Blessed Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones.
My favorite Thanksgiving dish would be dressing. However, I am particular about the kind I eat:).
Mmm, love the yam recipe! I love turkey the best. It’s what I look forward to. 🙂
I’m not a yam fan,but since my husband & son are, I’ll make those for Christmas. I use fresh yams from the produce section, never canned. My favorite Thanksgiving dish, pumpkin pie hands down!! I make them from scratch using sugar pie pumpkins I buy from the farmers market. I used to use Libby’s canned pumpkin, but about 4 years ago I wanted to try my hand at fresh pumpkin. There is such a taste difference, nothing beats fresh!! I’m getting hungry thinking about it…haha!
Happy blessed Thanksgiving Karen and everyone else too! And thanks to my Lord & Savior Jesus for His great salvation so rich and free!
Oh I love that book’s cover!!! Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂
Candy Yams looks so good now i’m hungry.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Karen!
Hubby does most of the Thanksgiving cooking in this house and THAT is my favorite recipe! 🙂
What a wonderful flurry of comments! You all are helping me get in the mood for all the cooking I’ll be doing tomorrow. 🙂
I went to the grocery store yesterday and they had the red yams I like on sale for 5 lbs for $1. Woohoo!!! We’re going to have plenty of candied yams this year. 🙂
I haven’t had candied yams in a long time,,My mom always made it,,but since I’m the only one in my family now that likes it,,i just don’t make it for myself,,but this brought back sweet memories of my Mom making this every holiday in the south
I love chickenpie!
Hi Karen! Those yams sound wonderful! My mom makes a similar dish, but I believe she just uses sweet potatoes. I’ll have to see about trying these! Thanks for the recipe.
Love the cover on Jolene’s book. It looks just how I wish the outside of my house looked this time of year (the horse makes it!) Too bad I live in town so it’s “nix” to the horses.
Have a lovely Thanksgiving!
Hi Karen, and Thanksgiving blessings to you and your family. That recipe sounds beyond delicious, and so does Jolene’s book. I think my favorite dish of Thanksgiving is pumpkin pie. I just lov everything about it, the texture, the spices. Mouth is watering right now. Hugs….
Thank you for the sweet treats, Karen! Chicken and dressing is my favorite Thanksgiving dish. Happy Thanksgiving!
My family always want purple-top turnips from an old New England recipe and black olives. As long as I put those on the table it doesn’t matter if I forget the turkey. They also love my mushroom stuffing that has little or no bread (so I guess I can’t forget the turkey after all.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My family always roasts a chicken for those who do not eat turkey. It is an either or situation.