Vanilla-Bean-Whipped Sweet Potatoes

Food & Wine, 2005

Makes 10 servings

    4 pounds sweet potatoes                                        
    1 cup heavy cream                                              
    4 tablespoons unsalted butter                                  
    1/2 vanilla bean split, scraped                                
    Salt and pepper   
                                            
ACTIVE TIME: 15 MIN/TOTAL TIME: 45 MIN

New York chef Gerry Hayden, a friend of the Minas, was staying with the family one Christmas and contributed this side dish to the holiday meal.

Preheat the oven to 400°. Poke the sweet potatoes several times with a fork and bake for about 35 minutes, or until tender. Let cool slightly, then peel and transfer them to a food processor. Puree until fairly smooth.
In a small saucepan, combine the cream with the butter and the vanilla bean and seeds. Bring to a simmer. Remove the vanilla bean. With the processor on, carefully pour the vanilla cream into the sweet potatoes and process until smooth. Season the sweet potato puree with salt and pepper, transfer to a bowl and serve.

MAKE AHEAD The sweet potatoes can be refrigerated overnight.