Clean Eat Mashed Sweet Potato Casserole

A favorite of Jim's and definitely a lasting clean eating, non processed alternative to those unhealthy (but yummy, I know!) yams we eat at Thanksgiving and Christmas chock full of maple syrup, sugar and marshmallows. This recipe is a great substitution for those calorie and sugar-rich concoctions. Take it over to the family meal... it's sure to please!

Clean Mashed Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients:
5 cups baked sweet potatoes, peeled
2/3 cup 2% milk
slightly less than 1/4 cup agave nectar
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
pecans, if desired

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Wash and wrap whole sweet potatoes (unpeeled) in individual foil pockets.
2. Once oven is heated, place sweet potatoes on wire oven rack or place on baking sheet and then place in oven. Bake for 1 1/2 hours or until sweet potatoes are soft.
3. Remove sweet potatoes and baking sheet (if used) from oven. Allow potatoes to cool for approximately 10 minutes.
4. Unwrap foil pockets and peel skin off of potatoes (this is optional if you prefer mashed potatoes with the skin - personally, I have not tried the recipe with the skin on.) PLEASE NOTE: Be especially careful due to the temperature of the potatoes and skins - you can get burned if not careful! Place peeled sweet potatoes in a large bowl or in a bowl of a stand mixer.
5. Add milk, agave nectar, cinnamon and nutmeg to bowl.
6. Mix using an electric mixer for approximately 3-5 minutes until all ingredients are combined and potatoes are fluffy. Add pecans if desired.
7. Using a shallow ceramic dish, transfer sweet potato mixture and place in oven to bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes. Garnish with additional pecans if desired.

Tip: Sweet potatoes taste great the next day! Just don't forget to refrigerate them!

Click here for another variation of the recipe!

Did you make it?  What do you think?

Product Review :: Dave's Gourmet Roasted Garlic and Sweet Basil Pasta Sauce

Picture this... baked turkey meat balls, whole wheat pasta and Dave's Gourmet Roasted Garlic and Sweet Basil Pasta Sauce.  A fabulous meal and an excellent sauce that I have to share with you! (Oh and yes, it's clean!!)

Taste? Imagine making your own pasta sauce, only you know just the right blend between acidic and sweet. Hearty chucks of tomatoes and a thicker consistency are key components of this sauce. With a sweet garlic taste (does not leave that aweful garlic breath!) and a hint of basil it is a sauce we can appreciate.

Ingredients? Organic tomatoes, organic onions, water, organic carrots, organic extra virgin olive oil, organic garlic, organic evaporated cane juice, organic basil, organic roasted garlic, salt, spices.

Servings per container? 3 cups/jar. 1/2 cup equals 1 serving.

Sugars? 4g per serving.

Where did you purchase the item? I picked this up in the gourmet food aisle at my local T.J.Maxx store. However, you can buy the sauce directly from Dave's Gourmet if you do not have one in your area or if they are sold out.

Retail Cost? T.J. Maxx - $4.99. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price - $8.99.

Other Clean Varieties? Dave's Gourmet has got it together! After reading the ingredients on their website, it looks like we can cleanly induldge in the following recipes: Butternut Squash, Masala Marinara, Organic Spicy Heirloom Marinara, and Wild Mushroom (although the cream is questionable in this variety).

He and She Slow Cook :: Clean Crock Pot Cinnamon Vanilla Applesauce

Want to usher in the fall season with the yummy scent of baking apples with cinnamon and vanilla?  If so, we have the right recipe for you!

Clean Crock Pot Cinnamon Vanilla Applesauce

Ingredients:
8 medium-size Granny Smith apples, peeled (7 large Granny Smith apples can be substituted)
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2 c water
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 tbsp maple sugar flakes
2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Peel apples and cut into quarters, careful to core apples as well (seeds are bad!). Place in bottom of crock pot slow cooker.
2. Add lemon juice, water, cinnamon, nutmeg, maple sugar flakes and pure vanilla extract.
3. Stir briefly - just enough to mix ingredients.
4. Cook on low for 2 hours and then raise temperature to high for 1.5 hours.
5. Stir, slightly mashing any apple chunks, serve and enjoy! 

What is your favorite fall treat?