Paula Dean's 'Ol Number 7 Yams

This is a must have every Thanksgiving.  It is our favorite way to eat sweet potatoes.  Even my pickiest kids love it. 

'Ol No. 7 Yams

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

4 large sweet potatoes 

3 cups water 

1 1/2 cups brown sugar 

4 tablespoons butter 

1 (3 to 4-inch) cinnamon stick 

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 

1/3 cup bourbon (recommended: No. 7 Jack Daniels) *

1 long strip orange peel

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Wash and dry sweet potatoes and bake for 1 hour or until potatoes are soft to the touch. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly then remove skin from potatoes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F. 

While the potatoes are baking, combine remaining ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes until sauce is slightly thickened. 

Slice the potatoes 1/2-inch thick into a medium casserole dish. Pour syrup over them and return to the oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes. 

* Instead of JD we have also used spiced rum, and it turned out just as good.