This casserole is a great addition to any meal, but is especially good at the holidays when sweet potatoes or yams are part of your holiday feast. This recipe draws inspiration from candied yams and fruit crumble. Combined methods make an excellent side dish! I use granola in the topping as it’s generally sweetened but you can substitute flake oats and add a tablespoon of brown sugar instead. This recipe can be assembled in advance and heated about 1/2 hour before you serve it. Add extra baking time if the dish has been sitting in the fridge.

• Ingredients
• Casserole:
• 3 large yams
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup hot milk or cream
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 cup diced dried apricots
• Topping:
• 1 cup sweetened granola
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts
• 1/4 cup butter, cut into pieces

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Pierce the yams with a fork and place them in the mircowave. Cook on high for 10-15 minutes until they are soft but not too mushy. While the yams are cooking, assemble the topping for the casserole in a small bowl. Once the yams are done, remove them from the microwave using an oven mitt and slice in half. Scoop out the pump and place into a large bowl with the remaining casserole ingredients. Mash together until combined and spoon into an 8 x 8 casserole dish. Sprinkle on the topping and bake for 10 minutes. Change your oven setting to broil and brown the top for 1-2 minutes.