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Five-Spice Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Walnut Toffee

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Crunchy toffee stands in for the usual marshmallow topping on these potatoes, which Shawn McClain glazes with brown sugar and spice-scented butter.

Plus: Ultimate Thanksgiving Guide

Pairing Suggestion

Pinot Noir's balance of crisp fruit, light spiciness and moderate tannins makes it very versatile—ideal with all the big flavors in this Thanksgiving menu.

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Five-Spice Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Walnut Toffee

  • ACTIVE: 30 MIN
  • TOTAL TIME: 1 HR
  • SERVINGS: 10 to 12 servings
  • MAKE-AHEAD
  • VEGETARIAN

Ingredients

  1. 6 pounds orange sweet potatoes or yams, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
  2. 1 cup light brown sugar
  3. 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  4. 2 teaspoons Chinese five-spice powder
  5. 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  6. Salt
  7. Crunchy Walnut Toffee, coarsely chopped

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°. Spread the sweet potato chunks in two 9-by-13-inch baking dishes. Add 1 cup of water to each dish, cover with foil and bake for about 25 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are barely tender. Pour off any remaining water from the baking dishes.
  2. In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar with the butter, five-spice powder and nutmeg and cook over moderate heat until the butter is melted and the mixture is bubbling, about 4 minutes. Pour the mixture over the potatoes, stir to coat and season with salt. Bake for about 10 minutes, basting a few times, until the potatoes are tender and nicely glazed. Sprinkle the walnut toffee over the potatoes and serve.

Make Ahead

The glazed sweet potatoes can be refrigerated overnight. Reheat before topping and serving.

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