Page 22 - December 2023 Gears and Ears

Unleash Your Inner Chef

By Nanichi Calero

December 2023

J O Y F U L I S S U E
SEASONAL SUPPER

“ C E L E B R A T I N G T H E H O L I D A Y S W I T H D E L I C I O U S D I N N E R ”

Sage Sweet Potato Casserole Bourbon Honey Glazed Ham

- 5 pounds sweet potatoes, halved lengthwise - 11/2 cups of rye whiskey or bourbon
- ¼ cup rosemary leaves - 3/4 cup of honey
- ¼ cup sage leaves - 1/4 cup of (light) molasses
- ½ cup (1stick) unsalted butter, divided - 1teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes
- 1½ cups fresh sourdough breadcrumbs - 1/2 teaspoon of coarsely ground black pepper
- Kosher salt and ground pepper - 1 12–14-pound cured smoked bone-in ham,
- 4 small shallots, chopped skin removed if needed
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- 12/3 cup Parmesan, finely grated
- 1teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Preheat oven to 350°F. Roast potatoes, rotating the To make the dish, start by preheating the oven to
sheets halfway through, for 70-90 minutes until they are 350°. Whisk together the whiskey, honey,
very tender when squeezed. Cook butter with rosemary molasses, pepper flakes, and black pepper in a
and sage. Remove the potato skins and put the potato medium bowl.
flesh in a bowl with half of the warm butter and fried herbs. Next, place the ham on a rack in a large roasting pan
Add the breadcrumbs to the saucepan with the remaining and pour 2 cups of water. Score the fat in a
butter-herb mixture and toss to coat. Add the shallots and
crosshatch pattern, cutting about 1/2" deep. Brush
stir frequently until they turn translucent and golden
the ham with the rye whiskey mixture and roast it in
around the edges. Bring the cream to a simmer and blend
the oven. Baste the ham every 20 minutes with pan
with the blender until smooth. Transfer to the bowl with
juices. If the ham is browning too quickly, tent it
the potatoes. Add the eggs and Parmesan. Blend with the
with foil. Roast until an instant-read thermometer
blender until light and fluffy. Transfer the potato mixture
inserted into the thickest part of the ham registers
to a shallow 2-quart baking dish, top with the breadcrumb
135°. This should take about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
mixture, and bake until the top is golden and crisp, for
about 20-25 minutes. Do Ahead: You can make the
Once the ham is done, transfer it to a cutting board
casserole without breadcrumbs up to 3 hours ahead. You
and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve
can also fully assemble the casserole up to 1day ahead.
the ham with the pan juices.

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