Emeril'S Candied Sweet Potatoes - Kicked Up! - cooking recipe

Ingredients

8 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/8ths
3 cups brown sugar
1 cup water
1 cup fresh orange juice
2 vanilla beans, split in half lengthwise (or 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste)
2 teaspoons orange zest
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup Bourbon (I use Jack Daniels)
1/2 cup butter, cut into pieces

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
In a large heavy pot, combine the potatoes, sugar, water, orange juice, vanilla beans, orange zest, cinnamon, and salt. Bring to a simmer over high heat.
Lower the heat, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Strain the potatoes out of the sauce and place in a casserole dish. Return the sauce to the pan.
Add the bourbon to the sauce and cook (stirring often) on medium-high heat until syrup is thickened, about another 15-30 minutes.
Pour the syrup over the potatoes and place in the oven. Bake until the potatoes are browned, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the butter, stirring gently to incorporate.
Serve immediately.