Simple and Delicious Holiday Yams

Prep Time: 1 Hour
Yields: 6–8 Servings

Comment:
Most holiday yam recipes contain numerous spices and a marshmallow topping. This recipe may seem much more boring, but even with fewer ingredients, these yams are magnificent. NOTE: Yams should all be about the same size so they cook uniformly. Smaller yams are best for this recipe since 1 yam will serve as 1 portion.

Ingredients:
8 small Louisiana yams, peeled
2 quarts water
1 cup sugar
¼ pound butter
2 tbsps pure vanilla extract
3 whole cloves

Method:
Place yams in a 12-inch diameter saucepan. Add water to cover yams by ¼ inch. Bring to a rolling boil then reduce to high simmer and cook 30–35 minutes or until yams are fork tender but not overcooked. Drain all but ¼ inch water. Add sugar, butter, vanilla and cloves. Continue to simmer until a simple syrup is achieved and yams have absorbed most of liquid, about 30 minutes. Baste yams from time to time with the simple syrup. Serve 1 yam per guest with syrup.