Sweet Potato Puree with Caramelized Bananas and Oranges

Step 1

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the sweet potatoes and cook until very soft, about 20 minutes. Drain the potatoes, then cover and keep warm.

Step 2

Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the allspice, vanilla bean, cinnamon and star anise. Toast the spices, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add the orange quarters and banana slices, raise the heat to medium high and cook, flipping the fruit once, until slightly brown, about 2 minutes per side. Add the maple syrup to the skillet, cover, remove from the heat and set aside to allow the flavors to meld for about 30 minutes.

Step 3

Squeeze the juice from the orange quarters into the syrup mixture and discard the peels. Remove and discard the spices, being careful not to lose any of the syrup. 

Step 4

Puree the warm sweet potatoes in a food processor, slowly adding the cream and remaining 6 tablespoons butter. Add the banana-syrup mixture and puree until fully incorporated. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve warm.