Tiffany Haney
Yams and sweet potatoes are often used interchangeably in recipes, but they are two different vegetables. True yams are native to Africa and parts of Asia and are used in savoury dishes. Sweet potatoes, which are often labelled as yams, are commonly used in candied yam recipes. Crock pots are a great way to cook yams and sweet potatoes, as they require little preparation and free up oven space.
How to Cook Yams in a Crock Pot
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Rinse yams/sweet potatoes and shake off excess water. Peel and chop into bite-sized pieces. |
| Cooking Method | Place yams/sweet potatoes in a crock pot/slow cooker. Add other ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-5 hours. |
| Serving | Yams/sweet potatoes are ready when tender and can be pierced with a fork. Top with butter, marshmallows, or other desired toppings. |
| Storage | Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Can be frozen for up to 3 months. |
| Reheating | Reheat in the oven at 325-350 degrees F for 10 minutes, or in the microwave. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Crockpot candied yams
Candied yams are a tasty side dish that can be made in a crockpot. This recipe is simple and easy, and you can even get your kids to help you make it!
Ingredients
- Sweet potatoes
- Brown sugar
- Butter
- Salt
- Spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, or pumpkin pie spice)
- Marshmallows (optional)
- Pecans (optional)
Method
First, peel the raw sweet potatoes with a vegetable peeler, then chop them into bite-sized pieces. Put the sweet potato pieces, brown sugar, butter, salt, and spices into your crockpot. Close the lid and set it on high for 3-4 hours. Stir the ingredients after around 2 hours. Check the yams after 3 hours to see if they are tender. If they are not soft, keep cooking for another hour. Serve the candied yams hot.
Tips
- You can add a 1/4 cup of orange juice to the crockpot for a vibrant citrus note.
- For a fall flavor with less sugar, substitute half of the brown sugar with real maple syrup.
- You can store the candied yams and their syrup in an airtight container for up to 4 days. To reheat, place the yams into a casserole dish and warm them in a 325-degree F oven for 10 minutes.
- You can also peel and mash your crockpot candied yams and use them in other recipes, such as sweet potato brownies or cookies.
Creative Uses for Your Appam Pan
You may want to see also
Explore related products
How to prepare yams
Preparing yams in a crock pot is a simple and convenient way to cook this tough, starchy tuber. It is important to note that true yams are not the same as sweet potatoes, and they should not be used interchangeably in recipes. Yams have a bark-like skin and white flesh and are native to Africa and parts of Asia. They are used in savoury dishes.
To prepare yams in a crock pot, you will need to peel the yams with a vegetable peeler and then chop them into bite-sized pieces. Place the chopped yams into the crock pot and add water until the yams are covered. You can also add other ingredients to flavour the yams, such as brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and butter.
Stir the ingredients together, ensuring that the yams are well-coated in the sauce. Put the lid on the crock pot and set it to cook on a low setting for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-5 hours. Stir the yams every 30 minutes to prevent burning and check if they are tender by piercing them with a fork. The yams are ready when they are soft and can be easily pierced with a fork.
Once the yams are cooked, you can serve them as a side dish or use them in other recipes. They can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply place the yams in a casserole dish and warm them in the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes.
Making Popcorn in a Frying Pan: Is It Possible?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for yams in a crock pot will depend on the number of yams being cooked, the size of the yams, and the desired texture. It is recommended that you cook 1 or 2 yams in a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. If you have more yams, you can create a second layer but avoid going over two layers as the yams will not cook evenly.
For yams on the bottom layer, cooked on a 'low' setting, the cooking time is 6 to 8 hours. For yams on the top layer, cooked simultaneously with the bottom layer, the cooking time is 3 to 5 hours on the 'high' setting. The yams are ready when they can be easily pierced with a fork.
If you are cooking bite-sized yam pieces, the cooking time is reduced to 3 to 4 hours on the 'high' setting. It is recommended that you stir the contents of the crockpot after 2 hours and check for tenderness after 3 hours, adding more time as needed.
You can also cook yams on 'high' for 3 to 3.5 hours and add marshmallows for the final 15 minutes to get soft and puffy marshmallows.
Steel Pans: Pros and Cons
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Storing and reheating yams
If you wish to freeze your yams, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much excess air as possible. They will last in the freezer for up to three to six months. When you're ready to enjoy your frozen yams, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator, and then reheat them using one of the methods mentioned above. It's important to note that the texture of the yams may be softer after freezing and thawing.
Pan Flute Pricing: A Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Yam and sweet potato differences
Yams and sweet potatoes are often used interchangeably, especially in the US, but they are not the same thing. They are not even from the same family. True yams are edible tubers found in Africa and Asia from the dioscorea genus of flowering plants. They are commonly used in African, Latin American and Caribbean dishes. Yams have thick, rough, bark-like brown skin and white or yellowish flesh. They are considerably starchier and drier than sweet potatoes and are typically only available in the US at international markets.
Sweet potatoes, on the other hand, are root vegetables, not tubers. They are native to Central and South America and belong to the morning glory family. They have smooth skin, which can be orange, grey, purple, or white. Sweet potatoes have sweeter flesh than yams and are used in both savoury dishes and desserts. They are also a good source of vitamins A, C and B-6, beta-carotene, potassium, manganese and fibre.
The confusion between the two stems from the 1800s when enslaved Africans referred to sweet potatoes as "yams" because they reminded them of the African yams they used to eat. The name stuck, and Americans continued to use it. Soft sweet potatoes were referred to as 'yams' to distinguish them from firmer varieties.
Now, for cooking yams in a crock pot, you can make candied yams by peeling and chopping raw sweet potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Put the sweet potato pieces, brown sugar, spices, butter, and salt all into your crock pot, close the lid, and set on high for 3-4 hours, stirring everything up after around 2 hours. You can also simply rinse your sweet potatoes and place them in a crock pot for 6 to 8 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high.
Amana BX21VW: Removing the Drip Pan Easily
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
It takes 6-8 hours on a low setting or 3-5 hours on a high setting.
Rinse the yams and shake off any excess water. There is no need to dry them as the moisture will help them steam.
Yes, the liner just makes it easier for cleanup afterward.
Reheat the yams in an oven at 325 degrees F for 10 minutes.
You can add brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, butter, and vanilla.
