Cajun Scalloped Sweet Potatoes

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• cooking spray
• 2 1/2 lbs sweet potatoes (about 4 medium)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon pure chile powder
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 -2 teaspoon minced chipotle chile (optional)
• 2 cups half-and-half (or use whole milk, or soy milk)
• 1 -2 teaspoon sugar (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• lemon wedge
• spicy tomato jam (optional)

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 425*f.
• 2 coat the bottom of a 1 1/2-2 quart baking pan or gratin dish with olive oil. spray a large sheet of foil on one side with cooking spray.
• 3 peel the sweet potatoes and slice them paper thin(a food processor with a thin slicing attachment or a mandoline works great).spread the sweet potato slices in the pan.
• 4 combine the salt, seasonings, garlic, and chiles in a 4 cup liquid measuring cup. pour in the half and half(or milk) and stir until blended, and slowly pour the seasoned milk over the sweet potato slices in the pan.
• 5 cover the pan tightly with the prepared piece of foil(sprayed side down)., and bake it in the center of the preheated oven for about 40 minutes.
• 6 pull out the oven rack, remove the foil, and use a long handled spoon to carefully "stir"( lifting and arranging) the potatoes a few times to redistribute the seasonings.
• 7 return pan to the oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes more, or until the potatoes look slightly shriveled and golden on top. if you would like a sweet touch, sprinkle the top with the optonal sugar during the last 10 minutes or so of baking.
• 8 remove from the oven, drizzle with the lemon juice, and cool for about 15 minutes before serving. any extra liquid will get absorbed during this waiting period.
• 9 serve warm and tuck a lemon wedge onto the side and a dab of tomato jam if desired. enjoy!