Th is Th anksgiving, try a healthy pecan
dish in place of one that’s loaded with unwanted
fat and calories, like spiced pecans
or this sweet potato pecan casserole – both
perfectly delicious for the holiday season.
SWEET POTATO PECAN CASSEROLE
– Cooking spray
– 3½ pounds sweet potatoes (about 5
medium), peeled and cut into 1-inch
chunks
– ⅓ cup honey
– 1 large egg
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
– ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
– Kosher salt
– 1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar
– ⅓ cup fi nely chopped pecans
Preheat the oven to 350. Mist an 8-inch
square baking dish with cooking spray.
Bring a few inches of water to a boil in a
pot with a large steamer basket in place.
Put the sweet potatoes in the basket, cover,
and steam until tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
Transfer the potatoes to a bowl and let cool
slightly.
Add the honey, egg, ½ teaspoon cinnamon,
the nutmeg, ginger, and ½ teaspoon salt;
whip with an electric mixer until smooth.
Spread the sweet potato mixture in the prepared
baking dish.
Mix the brown sugar, pecans, and the remaining
½ teaspoon cinnamon in a bowl;
sprinkle over the potatoes.
Bake until hot and beginning to brown
around the edges, 40 to 45 minutes.
For more recipes and healthy lifestyle tips,
visit the WakeMed Voices blog (where you
can also subscribe) at wakemedvoices.com.
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for their many experts to share information
on topics important to the health of patients
and the community.
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APPLE POMEGRANATE CRISP
– 4 medium apples, peeled and cubed
– 1 cup pomegranate seeds
– 2 tablespoons brown sugar
– ½ teaspoon salt
– ½ teaspoon cinnamon
– ½ teaspoon ginger or pumpkin spice
– 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
– ¼ cup loosely packed brown sugar
– ½ cup walnut pieces
– ¼ cup whole wheat pastry fl our
– 1 teaspoon cinnamon
– ¼ cup unsalted butter or coconut oil
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
In a large bowl, toss apple cubes and pomegranate
seeds with sugar and spices. In
another small bowl, combine oats, brown
sugar, walnuts, fl our, and cinnamon.
Add soft ened butter and vanilla, and mix
thoroughly with a fork or your hands.
Spray an 8 x 8 inch baking dish with nonstick
spray. Layer the fruit and then the oat
mixture evenly on top.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until crisp is
golden brown. Serve hot.
PECANS
Th is season off ers the perfect opportunity
to gather your family around the dinner
table, giving thanks for the blessings in
our lives. Many families indulge in all the
holiday favorites that make Th anksgiving
a meal to remember. And in many
cases, those favorites are as healthy as they
are tasty, with some of those favorites
featuring another North Carolina seasonal
sensation – pecans.
Pecans are packed with antioxidants like
Vitamin E that may protect against heart
disease. Th ey also contain plant sterols,
fi ber, and heart healthy monounsaturated
and polyunsaturated fats, all of which may
help lower cholesterol levels. Now that’s
something to be thankful for!
CIRCA Magazine | October • November • December 2020 | www.circamagazine.com 25
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