Mashed Yams with Bananas, Bourbon and Vanilla

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds Yams, peeled, cut into 2-inch cubes
• 3 each very ripe bananas, peeled and sliced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 small vanilla bean, split and scraped
• 1/4 cup honey
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon Maker's Mark bourbon
• 1 tablespoon soft butter
• 2 quarts water
• 2 tsps. Salt

• Bring the water and 2 teaspoons salt to a boil, add the potatoes and cook until tender - about 15 to 20 minutes.
• While the potatoes are cooking, in a separate pot, combine the cream, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, bananas and orange juice.
• Bring to a boil and cook on high for 5 minutes.
• Remove vanilla bean and either purée with a mixing wand or mash well with a potato masher.
• When the potatoes are tender, drain well and add to the cream mixture.
• Cook on medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes and mash gently with a spoon leaving some chunks of potato. The mixture will thicken slightly as the potatoes absorb the cream.
• Stir in the bourbon and the soft butter.
• Can be held and reheated.

From our Expert Executive Chef, Jerry Cook.