Maple-Pecan Sweet Potato Mash

Ingredients

• 1  cinnamon sticks 
• 0.3 teaspoon ground cloves 
• 6 tablespoons maple syrup 
• 0.3 teaspoon orange zest 
• 0.3 cup pecans chopped
• 2 large sweet potatoes 

Equipment

• bowl
• baking sheet
• sauce pan
• oven
• potato masher
• microwave

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 30
2. Place the pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet.
3. Bake about 10 minutes or until pecans are fragrant and begin to darken.
4. Remove from oven, and set aside.
5. In a small saucepan, combine maple syrup, orange zest, cinnamon stick, and ground cloves. Bring to a gentle simmer.
6. Remove from heat, and let stand about 5 minutes.
7. Gently scoop out insides of the baked sweet potatoes, and place in a heatproof bowl. Using a potato masher or large fork, mash until there are no lumps left.
8. Heat in microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes.
9. Remove the cinnamon stick from the warmed syrup, and discard.
10. Pour the syrup over the mashed sweet potatoes, and top with the toasted pecans.
11. Serve immediately.