Mashed Sweet Potatoes

1. Combine sweet potatoes, butter, cream, sugar, and salt in large saucepan and cook, covered, over low heat, stirring occasionally, until potatoes fall apart when poked with fork, 35 to 45 minutes.
2. Off heat, mash sweet potatoes in saucepan with potato masher (Alternatively, you can you use ricer or food mill to press or mill potatoes into warmed serving bowl.) Stir in pepper; serve immediately.

MAPLE-ORANGE MASHED SWEET POTATOES
Stir in 2 tablespoons maple syrup and 1⁄2 teaspoon grated orange zest along with pepper just before serving.

INDIAN-SPICED MASHED SWEET POTATOES WITH RAISINS AND CASHEWS
Substitute dark brown sugar for granulated sugar and add 3⁄4 teaspoon garam masala to saucepan along with sweet potatoes in step 1. Stir 1⁄4 cup golden raisins and 1⁄4 cup roasted unsalted cashews, chopped coarse, into mashed sweet potatoes along with pepper just before serving.

GARLIC MASHED SWEET POTATOES WITH COCONUT
Substitute 1⁄2 cup coconut milk for butter and cream and add 1⁄4 teaspoon red pepper flakes and 1 small minced garlic clove to saucepan along with sweet potatoes in step 1. Stir in 1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro along with pepper just before serving.