Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Praline Streusel Topping

For the praline topping:

1 cup flour

2/3 c brown sugar

1/4 c chopped pecans, toasted

1/4 c melted butter

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Bag mini-marshmallows

4 medium (2 1/2 lbs.) peeled & halved fresh yams    
or 1 large can sweet potatoes

1/2 c sugar

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 large egg white

1 5 oz. can evaporated milk

Preheat oven to 350°. Combine first 5 ingredients together to form a streusel. Set aside.

If using fresh yams boil until just tender, drain & mash. If not, mash a drained can of sweet potatoes. Stir 1 cup streusel, sugar, vanilla, egg white and milk to the mashed sweet potatoes. 

Spread sweet potatoes in a single layer into a greased 2 quart casserole. Alternate rows on top of casserole with remaining streusel and mini marshmallows. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until marshmallows are nicely toasted.

Custard-Filled Cornbread

This side dish is my most requested "must have" dish every year. I'm including two pics from last year's Thanksgiving: one of the finished cornbread and another close up shot of my Thanksgiving plate with a little slice 'o heaven.

1 cup all-purpose flour

¾ cup yellow cornmeal

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

2 eggs

3 tablespoons butter, melted

3 tablespoons sugar

½ teaspoon salt

2 cups milk, warmed or at room temperature

1½ tablespoons white vinegar

1 cup heavy cream, warmed or at room temperature

Preheat the oven to 350° degrees.

Butter an 8-inch square or a round casserole baking dish, and place it in the hot oven while preparing the batter.

Stir together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder and baking soda.

In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs and the melted butter until well-blended. Add the sugar, salt, milk and vinegar and beat well. Stir the dry ingredients into the egg mixture just until the batter is smooth.

Pour the batter into the heated dish. Pour the heavy cream into the center of the batter. Do not stir. Check the cornbread after 45 minutes. It is done when the top becomes lightly browned.

Thanksgiving plate closeup. Cornbread is on the top left.
See the custard glistening in the center of the cornbread?
Ooo la la!

Serve warm.

Yield: 1 cornbread casserole