soul sister.

I just finished reading The Help and, I must say, it’s such a FABULOUS story and makes the list of my favorite books! It throws you directly into the lives of so many characters while still emotionally connecting with them, but also addresses topics that are controversial yet relevant in our daily lives (race and class); all coated with Southern charm, Junior League meetings and descriptions of soul food.

My Southern Belle roots were definitely inspired after reading this so, I made one of my favorite soul/comfort food dishes with a Hollyized sassafras twist! Let me introduce you to my sassy and sweet potato mash!

(I may not be a ‘soul sister’ but I’ve got one spunky soul and am a biological and sorority sister! Also, I’m part of the sisterhood according to Oprah!)

Need:
1 sweet potato
1 tablespoon Earth Balance/butter
.25 cup soy milk
2 tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons local honey
2 tablespoons crushed red peppers
Foil
Oven at 450 degrees

Hollyized Steps:

Turn the oven to 450 degrees. While it heats, rinse the sweet potato and spray your piece of foil with EVOO. Next, wrap the sweet potato in the foil ‘boat style’ aka the ends roll in and the top folds down. (One of the many lessons from Girl Scout camping along with not bringing seven matching bags for a weekend stay!)

Next, place the foiled sweet potato directly on the oven rack and bake for 30-45 minutes. Check the sweet potato by lightly squeezing it- when there is little resistance, it’s ready to be taken out.

Take a brownie baking dish and add the brown sugar, crushed pepper and butter. Once the sweet potato is done baking, remove the foil and add it into this dish.

Now (monster) mash the potato and be sure to mix it well with the dry ingredients already in the brownie dish.

Once everything is combined, add in the soy milk and honey. Mix and mash again.

Then bake the mash for 5-7 minutes at 350 degrees. You will definitely smell the sweetness of the honey when the mash is ready to be taken out!

Finally, serve the Hollyized sassafras sweet potato mash with other Southern favorites like BBQ chicken and fresh veggies… ENJOY!!! I highly recommend playing your favorite soul music while dining to enhance the comfort/soul to this meal! 🙂

Print Recipe

soul sister

Course: Side Dish

Equipment

• Foil

Ingredients

• 1 sweet potato
• 1 tbsp Earth Balance/butter
• .25 cup soy milk
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 3 tbsp local honey
• 2 tbsp crushed red peppers

Hollyized Steps:

• Oven at 450 degrees
• Turn the oven to 450 degrees. While it heats, rinse the sweet potato and spray your piece of foil with EVOO. Next, wrap the sweet potato in the foil ‘boat style’ aka the ends roll in and the top folds down. (One of the many lessons from Girl Scout camping along with not bringing seven matching bags for a weekend stay!)
• Next, place the foiled sweet potato directly on the oven rack and bake for 30-45 minutes. Check the sweet potato by lightly squeezing it- when there is little resistance, it’s ready to be taken out.
• Take a brownie baking dish and add the brown sugar, crushed pepper and butter. Once the sweet potato is done baking, remove the foil and add it into this dish.
• Now (monster) mash the potato and be sure to mix it well with the dry ingredients already in the brownie dish.
• Once everything is combined, add in the soy milk and honey. Mix and mash again.
• Then bake the mash for 5-7 minutes at 350 degrees. You will definitely smell the sweetness of the honey when the mash is ready to be taken out!
• Finally, serve the Hollyized sassafras sweet potato mash with other Southern favorites like BBQ chicken and fresh veggies… ENJOY!!! I highly recommend playing your favorite soul music while dining to enhance the comfort/soul to this meal!