Slipping Into A New Year With Ease

With tight budgets and even tighter schedules these recipes are sure to please. Whether you ring in the New Year with champagne toasts with the gang, or cook a cozy dinner for two, these recipes will have you covered. The first is a Curried Sweet Potato Pie. Think Shepherd's Pie, but with sweet potatoes instead of mashed potatoes. I love this recipe for parties. It is simple, delicious and so impressive. This recipe makes two casseroles. I always freeze one for later (or bake both for a big gathering.) I also love the Cranberry Yam Casserole, it a great way to use up some of those leftover holiday ingredients. Lastly the Sweet Potato Sausage Bake is a favorite brunch item in my house. All these recipes make great all-in-one meals or they go great served with the traditional greens, peas, and other Lucky traditional foods that are served up on the big day. These recipes are a great way to use some Christmas leftovers with a holiday brunch, dinner, party, or pot luck. I hope these recipes can save you some time and give you a few more minute to make your New Year's Resolutions.

Curried Sweet Potato Pie

• 5 medium sweet potatoes
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 pounds ground turkey or chicken
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoons curry powder
• 1 can chicken broth
• 1 1/2 pound carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 1/2 pound parsnips, peeled and chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger
• 1 package (10-ounce) frozen peas
• 1 cups milk, warmed
• 2 tablespoons margarine or butter

Directions

• Cook potatoes in microwave on High until potatoes are tender when pierced with fork.
• Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil on medium-high until hot. Add turkey; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook 5 to 6 minutes or until no longer pink, stirring and breaking up turkey.
• Stir flour and curry powder into turkey. Cook 1 minute while stirring. Add broth and heat to boiling. Cook 1 minute or until mixture thickens slightly. Divide turkey mixture between two 2 1/2- to 3-quart glass or ceramic baking dishes and spread evenly.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Wipe skillet dry. To same skillet, add remaining 1 tablespoon oil and heat on medium until hot. Add carrots, parsnips, and onion, and cook, covered, about 15 minutes or until vegetables are browned and tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in ginger, frozen peas, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Divide vegetable mixture between casseroles, spreading evenly over turkey mixture.
• When cool enough to handle, cut potatoes in half and scoop flesh from skins into large bowl. With potato masher, coarsely mash potatoes. Stir in milk, margarine, and 1 teaspoon salt; mash until well blended. Spread potatoes over vegetables.
• Bake one shepherd's pie, uncovered, 35 to 40 minutes or until top is browned. Freeze the other.

Cranberry Yam Casserole

This is so yummy! It takes less than an hour from start to finish.

• 3 cups (12 ounces) fresh whole cranberries, picked over and washed
• 1 small orange, washed, sliced (peel included), seeds removed
• 1/4 cup Grand Marnier (or orange juice)
• 1/2 cup pecan halves
• 1-1/2 cups granulated white sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 (40 ounces) can yams (or sweet potatoes), drained

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Place cranberries, sliced orange, Grand Marnier, pecans, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger in a large bowl. Toss gently to combine. Pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes.

Remove from oven and stir in drained yams or sweet potatoes. Return to oven and bake an additional 15 minutes until heated through.

Sweet Potato Sausage Bake with Maple Syrup

• 1 12 ounce package breakfast sausage
• 12 eggs
• 2 15 ounce cans sweet potatoes or yams, drained and mashed
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 12 ounce can evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon maple flavoring
• 15 slices whole grain bread, cubed
• 1 20 ounce can crushed pineapple, undrained
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 13 X 9 baking dish.

In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium high heat until browned. With a slotted spoon, remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain. When cool, cut into 1/4 inch slices. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, sweet potatoes, brown sugar, milk, pumpkin pie spice, salt and maple flavoring. Fold in bread and sausage. Transfer to prepared baking dish and bake 40-45 minutes, or until set in center. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, heat pineapple and maple syrup until hot and bubbling. Add butter and stir until melted. To serve, cut casserole into squares and top with pineapple sauce.