Vanilla Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, cleaned and left a bit damp
• 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1/3 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds scraped
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest (optional)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• kosher salt
• white pepper in a mill
• 4 star anise
• 1/2 tablespoon juniper berries
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cardamom
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 1 medium cinnamon stick, crushed, or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• 1/3 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, seeds scraped
• 2 pieces dried orange peel, optional
• 1 cup oil (heidi note: I used olive oil - a mild tasting one) - He uses canola in some of his other recipes.