Vanilla Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Vanilla Mashed Sweet Potatoes

(I talked about this recipe here)

1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons heavy cream
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1 teaspoon orange zest
1 tablespoon butter

Preheat oven to 350.
Put the potatoes (unpeeled) on a baking sheet and roast in the oven until tender - about 1 hour. Remove from oven and let cool until warm enough for handling (10-15 minutes).
Peel and discard skin. Put the peeled potatoes in a large bowl.
Pour the cream into a small saucepan. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the cream, then add the vanilla bean to the pan.
Stir in orange zest.
Bring the cream mixture to a boil, then simmer over low heat for 5 minutes.
Remove vanilla bean from cream and discard.
Pour the vanilla cream over the sweet potatoes. Add butter.
Mash by hand or with an electric mixer.

makes 6 servings
adapted slightly from: Artisanal Cooking by Terrance Brennan, via 101 Cookbooks