I made this for a potluck at work tomorrow and I wanted to go ahead and commit it to LJ where I can find it again easily (and share a dynamite recipe!) I made this for unclevlad‘s birthday party a few months back and it was a big hit.

Savory Sweet Potato Casserole
Serves 10
From the October/November, 2007, issue of Cook’s Country

4 slices hearty white sandwich bread (I used Brownberry Country White) torn into large pieces
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (pre-shredded is OK)
8 slices of bacon, chopped (I used 1/2 lb.)
1 onion, chopped fine
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (can use 1/4 tsp. for less heat)
5 lbs sweet potatoes (about 8 medium) peeled, halved lengthwise, sliced thin
3/4 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
5 scallions, sliced thin

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees. Pulse bread, butter, and 1/2 cup of cheese in food processor until coarsely ground. Set aside.

2. Cook bacon in Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp, about 8 minutes. Transfer bacon to paper-towel-lined plate and pour off all but 1 Tablespoon fat.

3. Cook onion until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cayenne pepper and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

4. Stir in sweet potatoes, cream, buttermilk, and salt. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, covered, until potatoes are just tender, about 30 minutes.

5. Off heat, stir in the remaining cheese, cooked bacon, and 4 scallions.

6. Transfer mixture to a 9″ x 13″ baking dish and top with bread crumbs. Bake until the crumbs are golden brown, about 15 minutes.

7. Cool for 10 minutes, then sprinkle with the remaining scallion. Serve.

Duncan’s notes: 5 lbs of sweet potatoes are a pain in the butt unless you have a food processor or a mandoline. Our 12-cup food processor made short work of it, though. Also, be sure that you have a large enough Dutch oven; it fits comfortably in our 7 quart cast iron Dutch oven. The mix of flavors in this is fantastic – the sweet potatoes impart almost a curry-like flavor, and combined with the bacon and the cheese, it’s delicious.