Description
This Sweet Potato Casserole with Italian meringue and maple peans is a makeover of the classic Thanksgiving side dish. It’s vegetarian, gluten-free, and kid-friendly making it the perfect addition to your holiday table!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 4 pounds peeled sweet potatoes, cut into 1 1/2 inch chunks
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus a pinch, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch chipotle powder
- 1 cup orange juice, preferably freshly squeezed
- 2 large egg whites, room temperature, see *tip
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Place sweet potatoes in a large saucepan and cover generously with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and return to the pot. Add 3 tablespoons butter, 1 ¼ teaspoon salt, cinnamon and chipotle powder. Mash with a potato masher until no large lumps remain. Add orange juice and mash until smooth. Cover and keep warm.
- Position oven rack in upper third of the oven. Heat broiler. Coat a broiler-safe 2 ½ quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Beat egg whites and ¼ teaspoon salt in a stand mixer until soft peaks form. Mix sugar and water in a small saucepan. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer, swirling pan gently to dissolve sugar. Do not slosh sugar solution on the sides of the pan. Boil undisturbed, until a candy thermometer just reaches 238 degrees F. Immediately drizzle sugar syrup into the egg white mixture while the mixer is beating continually. Continue beating until the bottom of the bowl is only slightly warm, about 2 minutes longer. Scoop the meringue into a large resealable bag and set aside.
- Mix maple syrup, the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and the remaining pinch of salt in a small sauce pan. Heat over medium heat until the mixture boils. Add pecans and cook, stirring constantly until the nuts are coated, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Spread the sweet potato mixture in the prepared casserole dish. Top with the pecans. Cut the corner of the re-sealable bag off and pipe the meringue decoratively over the sweet potato mixture. Broil, rotating as necessary, until the top is browned, 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
Notes
To warm egg whites to room temperature quickly and safely, place whole uncracked eggs in a small bowl. Cover with very warm water and let sit for several minutes. Drain and separate eggs as usual.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stove Top/Broiler
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2/3 cup
- Calories: 166
- Sodium: 241 g
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g