Sweet Potato Casserole from The Grain Free Family Table

While marshmallow topping has its charm, why not try a healthier, whole food sweet potato casserole this year? This version, from Carrie Vitt's new cookbook, The Grain-Free Family Table, combines creamy sweet potatoes with a sweet-salty pecan topping. The result is rich and satisfying, and it almost seems like an afterthought that it meets the requirements of grain-free, paleo, vegan and/or dairy-free diet.

Thanksgiving is about abundance, a celebration of gratitude for all we have in our lives. It's not about deprivation, scarcity, or lack. So how do we prepare healthy yet satisfying dishes that don't compromise on flavor, texture, or richness? Ask Carrie Vitt, who has become a master at meeting her special dietary needs without feeling like her meals are a consolation prize.

Carrie’s journey towards organic, unprocessed foods began when she realized that her 24/7 migraines were caused by the foods she was eating. By slowly changing her diet to include only good, natural, and real food, she not only overcame her migraines, but a number of other chronic maladies as well. Changing the way she ate changed Carrie’s life. She wanted to help others with what she’d learned and Deliciously Organic was born. First as a cookbook, then as an ongoing source of inspiration and advice in the form of a wildly popular blog.

The legacy of cooks in Carrie’s family goes back generations. So Carrie was determined that the recipes that fueled her improved health were every bit as delicious as the ones she used before. Carrie’s new cookbook, The Grain-Free Family Table, is an amazing all-around resource for anyone working toward a healthier diet for their family. Along with over 125 simple yet creative recipes, you’ll find detailed information about using alternative ingredients and some of Carrie’s best health and cooking tips.

If you're updating your Thanksgiving menu to accommodate a healthier lifestyle or special diet, and some old family favorite recipes just aren't cutting it, consider Carrie's Sweet Potato Casserole recipe below. It's nutritious, healthy, and everyone at the table agreed; it was one of the best sweet potato dishes they'd ever had, bar none!

 

 

Sweet Potato Casserole
from The Grain Free Family Table Cookbook

Sweet Potato Ingredients 

3 cups mashed baked sweet potatoes
(3 or 4 large potatoes; see note)
1/4 cup raw honey 
2 large eggs, beaten
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon sea salt 

Topping

1 cup almond flour
2 tablespoons coconut flour
2 tablespoons raw honey
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted 
1 cup chopped pecans

Gear 

11 x 7 inch (or other 8 cup capacity) baking dish 

Directions 

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and adjust rack to middle position.
2. Combine all the sweet potato ingredients thoroughly in a large bowl and spread the mixture evenly into the baking dish (At this point, the casserole can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days).
3. To make the topping, combine the almond flour, coconut flour, honey, salt, and butter in a medium bowl. Stir in the pecans. 
4. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the sweet potatoes.
5. Bake for 20 minutes, until golden brown.

Details

Serves 8
Prep Time: 1 hour (includes pre-baking sweet potatoes)
Bake Time: 20 minutes
Potato mixture can be made 2 days ahead of time, add topping right before baking

Vegan/Paleo/Dairy-Free Adaptation

For the potatoes, use 6 tablespoons of coconut oil in place of the butter and canned coconut milk instead of the heavy cream. For the topping, use 3 tablespoons coconut oil in place of the butter.

Note: 

Bake the sweet potatoes at 400°F for 45 minutes, or until soft. Remove the skins when the potatoes are cool enough to touch, and mash until smooth