Tis the season of the yams! We know our holiday table wouldn't be complete without a bubbling hot rich sweet potato casserole. Or is it a yam casserole and what is the difference?

Well, a true yam actually is a tuber grown in the tropics, while a true sweet potato is an enlarged root of the sweet potato plant that is starchy when harvested but becomes sweeter after storage. In the 1930's, as Louisiana sweet potatoes were shipped to the eastern states, the consumer recognized that Louisiana sweet potatoes were moist, sweet and soft when baked. Thus, "Louisiana Yams" (yam comes from African word "nyami" meaning "to eat") became the trademark of the Louisiana sweet potato distinguishing them as the sweetest and most moist variety.

Versatility and new yam ideas! This nutritional vegetable packed with antioxidants and fiber adds a natural sweetness to any recipe from soups to breads. I don't think a holiday season would be complete without my Easy Cranberry Yam Bread. A homemade holiday gift is the one that keeps on giving. This quick bread takes advantage of cream cheese and biscuit baking mix for one of the easiest recipes ever. Make in mini loaf pans, wrap well and freeze to pull out for a quick and personal present. The naturally sweet bread with the tart cranberries is the perfect seasonal recipe.

Yam Cornbread Stuffing might be the ultimate time saver recipe as it combines yams and dressing into one delectable dish. This diabetic-friendly recipe with fresh sweet yams, cornbread, ginger and toasty pecans presents a mouth-watering holiday side.

Tradition with a twist is how I describe this Lemon Sweet Potato Casserole. Instead of the traditional mashed sweet potatoes with a praline or marshmallow topping (which I have trim & terrific recipes for) I think this dish makes a nice change for the holiday table. The recipe uses shredded sweet potatoes (yams) combined with instant lemon pudding and a touch of cinnamon. A six ingredient recipe with a pudding like consistency that melts in your mouth, a lemon lovers' answer.

I have to include my Sweet Potato Cinnamon Bundt Cake with Orange Glaze because of this story. I tested the recipe, thought it was delicious, but decided I really didn't have room for it in my new Gulf Coast cookbook. I sliced some of the cake to take to my gym...immediately, I had requests for the recipe. So, I told my mother about the story and she said to email her the recipe. My mother made it for some friends and her doctor...after tasting the bread, I was bombarded with recipe requests from whomever she gave a piece and I wasn't even including the recipe in my book. Well, as you have probably figured out, I made room for the recipe in my new book and I am delighted to share it with you now.

Terrific Yam Tidbits:
" 1 (15-ounce) can sweet potatoes (yams) drained and mashed equals 1 cup.
" 1 medium sweet potato, cooked equals 1 cup mashed
" If a recipe calls for canned sweet potatoes, fresh cooked sweet potatoes may be used.
" Bake sweet potatoes, wrap well, and freeze to pull out for a quick dinner side.
" Sweet potatoes (yams) should not be refrigerated unless cooked.
" Look for Louisiana yams in your grocery!


I have a few projects going on:
" Launch of my Mobile Rush Hour Recipes phone application
" 12/17: The 700 Club, CBN---cooking trim&TERRIFC" holiday recipes.

Need a stocking stuffer or a gift?

Get one of Holly's trim&TERRIFIC" cookbooks to start off the New Year healthier and delicious. Remember, when you eat trim&TERRIFIC, you stay trim&TERRIFIC".