Thursday, November 18, 2010

Hammie Sammies on Sweet Potato Biscuits


I normally wouldn't post two recipes in a row, but I'm so excited about this one. 


BSD works odd hours so we often "do lunch" instead of date nights. No worries about babysitters that way. And the same food costs almost half the price.

A few weeks ago we went to a little cafe that cooks by the "Buy Local, Eat Fresh" motto. I had to try the sweet potato biscuits when I saw it on the special's board. C'mon "sweet potato biscuits?" The name alone is adorable! And the little hammie sammie (along with a tiny green salad and ramekin of lentil soup) they served me did not disappoint. I haven't stopped thinking about those biscuits since.

BSD hasn't been free for lunch lately so I decided to try making them myself. And I hit pay dirt! I just whipped up a dozen, and with the help of the butcher, I figured out the proper ham to use. 

I've already eaten one biscuit plus two hammie sammies. I think I'm going to explode. But it was so worth it.  They were warm out of the oven and oh, so moist. The "country ham" smells a bit funky, but tastes a lot like prosciutto to this Yankee with European roots. I slathered them up with some peach jam and jammed them into my mouth.

Try them! Trust me. You don't have to be a sweet potato lover to like them. You don't even have to make hammie sammies out of them. 

Eat them plain,
With a little butter,
Or a little jam. 
Eat them for breakfast, 
or lunch or dinner.
Just eat them, eat them, 
Sam I am!


Sweet Potato Biscuits
makes 12
 
1 cup mashed baked sweet potato (1 large) (I just nuked it in the microwave about 8 min.)
2/3 cup whole milk
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted (I only had salted tonight. Worked fine.)
1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
Parchment paper


  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.*
  • In a medium bowl, mix the sweet potato, milk and butter.
  • Sift together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.
  • Gently mix the dry ingredients into the sweet potato mixture to form a soft dough.
  • Drop the dough by tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a deep golden orange tinged with brown.
  • Serve warm or let cool on a wire rack.
* The picture above shows the dough on a greased baking sheet. I have since discovered that they cook better without greasing the pan. Just line the baking sheet with parchment paper.
    NOTE: The ham is called "Country Ham." I bought it sliced THIN at the deli counter. The label read "Red Eye," but I think the brand was Smithfield. That may be a local Virginia brand, though. If you're making them for a BIG party, you can buy a whole ham. It comes in a cloth bag here and is not refrigerated. This is a cured, smoked? ham. Salty taste, but luckily, not overbearing. It really is a lot like prosciutto.



    18 comments:

    Gabe said...

    after the absolute yumminess of your choc chip muffins, i will definately be trying these. I may have to lie to my children (and probably my hubby) as well about the sweet potatoes, though!

    Kerri said...

    I love sweet potatoes...these look tdf!

    Genn said...

    I love sweet potatoes and these sound delicious!! thanks for sharing the recipe. My Mom posts a lot of recipes on her blog and she recently made hammy sammy's on hawaiin sweet rolls, and poured melted butter and poppy seeds over the tops and then baked them. I haven't tried those yet, but she (and everyone who did try em) said they are delicious! :)

    {cindy} said...

    Oh these look so yummy and right up my ally! I love a good warm out of the oven ham sandwich...especially this time of year.

    As far as the camera goes, I guess I am leaning towards a Canon, because the point and shoot I have now is a Canon. But when I go on their site, there are soooo many choices. Most way of of my price range obviously! Hard to decide which one is right for me. I know I want a DSLR, but that's about it!!:)
    I need to do more work I guess!!!
    Enjoy the night,
    Cindy

    sloan said...

    So what was the secret about the ham from the butcher? I'm after not only the biscuits, but the whole hammie sammie ... peach jam, a hot sweet potato biscuit, and the perfect ham?! Sounds like a sandwich made in heaven to me ;-)

    Cathy M~(checkitoff) said...

    Mmmmmm! I have the ingredients for pumpkin chili! Cannot wait to try these. I am w/Sloan, need a bit more info on the hammie sammie, Sam I Am! you are cooking! hugs, Cathy

    Kim said...

    So sorry. The ham is from the deli counter. I started with the butcher. He guessed exactly what I was doing. Asked how many I was feeding, and walked me over to the deli counter. Told them to give me "Country Ham." Then told them to slice it VERY thin.

    I was skeptical at first b/c the block of it looked like all the other meats in the counter window. But when it was sliced it was what I was after. I'm sure the brand doesn't matter,but this one was called "Red Eye." I think it was by Smithfield? That's probably a local brand, though.

    Melissa said...

    OMG....that name is gorgeous....

    they look wonderful!!!

    melissa xxx

    A Mom Anonymous said...

    Sounds yummy! I'm getting used to sweet potatoes. I never have liked them in the past but I think I never had them prepared very well.
    I bet this would work well with pumpkin too. Mmmmmmm!!!!

    My Interior Life said...

    You just made me hungry and that's after I've had a lot of food. Might have to give these a try! Yum!

    Corey Schwartz said...

    Oh, maybe I'll try it. Not much of a cook, but if I am going to give it a shot, thanksgiving is the week!

    Unknown said...

    Hi Kim. Great recipes!

    knack said...

    my mom just pulled a sweet potato biscuit recipe for Thanksgiving! I normally do not eat sweet potatoes...but these biscuits sound so delicious.....and when you say hot, and jam in one sentence...I'm there!

    xo

    Dani said...

    Sweet potato biscuits are amazing! I had totally forgotten about them. Until now, that is.

    The slight saltiness of the ham is a perfect partner to the biscuit.

    Holy smokes. Gotta make some.

    Jen said...

    I do love sweet potatoes.
    I'm just not good at baking. I want to blame it on my oven, but it might be me.

    Seizing My Day said...

    Sounds yummy! and perfect for this time of year! maybe a fabulous after Thanksgiving treat!! ;)

    Alita said...

    I have never tried a sweet potato. Yes, I know, crazy. I want to try your recipe though.

    I hope that your Thanksgiving was a relaxed one.

    Tammy said...

    Sounds yummy! and perfect for this time of year! maybe a fabulous after Thanksgiving treat!! ;)