Thanksgiving Yams - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 lbs yams
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 cups water
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
6 tablespoons half-and-half (warmed)
6 tablespoons orange juice (more to taste)
1 teaspoon orange zest
pepper
cinnamon (optional)

Preparation

Peel, quarter lengthwise and cut potatoes crosswise into 1/4-inch thick slices.
Combine the sweet potatoes, 1/2 t salt, sugar, and water in a large pot.
Cover and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until the potatoes fall apart when poked with a fork (45 - 60 minutes).
Off the heat, mash the sweet potatoes in the saucepan with a potato masher or food mill. Stir in the melted butter, half-and-half, orange juice, and orange zest with a wooden spoon until incorporated.
Season with additional orange juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and pepper to taste.