CANDIED SWEET POTATOES

3 lbs. large sweet potatoes peeled and halved crosswise
l cup packed light brown sugar
l/2 stick butter
l/4 cup water
l/4 tsp. salt
l/4 to l/2 cup bourbon
Preheat oven 375. Cut each potato half lenthwise into fourths. Steam potatoes on a steamer rack
set over boiling water covered until just tender l0 to l5 mins then cool uncovered. Transfer to a buttered
3 qt. shallow baking dish. Simmer brown sugar, butter, water and salt, stirring occasionally until sugar
is dissolved and syrup is thickened about 5 mins. Stir in bourbon to taste. Drizzle syrup over
p[otatoes and bake in middle of oven basting cocasionally until syrup is thickened about l-l/4 hrs.
May be made l day ahead and chilled, covered. Reheat before serving.