YAM-CRAN SALAD

Sometimes I want just one more side dish for my holiday meal. The problem is time management. Everything needs to be done at the same time, but there is only so much time and oven availability to get things prepped and cooked.

That’s why I often turn to YAM-CRAN SALAD. It’s fast to prepare, no oven is involved, and, with the exception of tossing in the walnuts, can be prepared the day before. Bonus:  it’s very festive looking!

BTW, I make this salad throughout the year – often as a last minute thought when I have a bag of yams I need to use up. I always have walnuts, dried cranberries, and dressing on hand.

YAM-CRAN SALAD – makes 2½ cups

• 1 lb yam or sweet potato, cubed (I use garnet yams)
• 1/3 cup walnuts, chopped and lightly toasted
• 3 T dried cranberries
• Ginger Mandarin dressing

Boil yam cubes until you can pierce them with a fork.  Be careful not to overcook! It takes about 5 minutes. Drain in a sieve and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. You want them bite-able (is that a word?), but not crunchy nor mushy.

Mix together the yams, cranberries, and dressing. Refrigerate at least an hour.

At serving time, stir in the walnuts.