MERINGUE-TOPPED MASHED SWEET POTATOES WITH TEQUILA

MERINGUE-TOPPED MASHED SWEET POTATOES WITH TEQUILA image

Yield 8 people

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 pounds whole unpeeled sweet potates
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3-4 tablespoons Silver or Gold tequila
2-4 tablespoons packed brown sugar
3 large egg yolks
Meringue Topping
3 large egg whites, at room temperature
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar

Steps:

Preheat oven to 400 Pierce sweetg potatoes in serveral places with fork tines, then bake whole directly on oven rack 50 to 60 minutes, until very tender. Reduce oven temperature to 350. Butter large shallow baking dish. When cool enough to handle, scoop sweet potatoes from skins and mash with potato masher, into a large bowl. Mix in applesauce and butter. When well combined, add salt, cinnamon, and tequila and brown sugar to taste. Stir in the egg yolks until they disappear into the mixture. Spoon into a prepared dish. Just before baking, make meringue. Beat egg whites with electric mixer on high speed. When whites are foamy, sprinkle in cream of tartar, then gradually add granulated sugar. Continue beating several minutes, until egg whites are glossy and hold soft peaks. Spoon meringue over sweet potatoes, covering whole surface if you wish, or simply mound it in several poufs. Bake about 30 minutes, until meringue is lightly browned, and sweet potatoes are heated through and bubbling.