Inspired by Fall: Cornmeal Sweet Potato Biscuits and Ham

October is arguably one of the finest months of the year in the South. It's during this month that we get our first hint of fall weather, SEC football is in full swing, and we start to think about the holidays that are just around the corner. As the weather shifts and signals that fall is upon us, it's a great time to start preparing meals that are hearty and delicious, but humble in their simplicity. This cornmeal sweet potato biscuit recipe is the perfect compliment to brown sugar glazed ham prepared in the slow cooker. 

Ingredients:

Biscuits 

• 1/3 cup of Hall's Extra Fine Cornmeal
• 2 cups of all purpose flour
• 2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 1 cup of canned sweet potatoes (yams) drained and mashed
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 2 tablespoons of honey

Ham

• Previously cooked, smoked ham (we used a 7 pound semi-boneless ham, just be sure it will fit in your slow cooker)
• 1 cup dark brown sugar

Biscuit Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees
• Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl
• With a knife and fork, chop butter into small pieces
• Add butter to dry mixture and use a fork to cut in butter to make a course meal
• Add in wet ingredients and mix (sweet potatoes, milk, and honey)
• Sprinkle a clean dry surface such as a cutting board with a few table spoons of flour, and kneed the dough several times
• With a rolling pin, flatten the dough to about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick
• With a round cookie cutter or drinking glass, cut out the biscuits and place them on a baking sheet with nonstick spray
• Bake biscuits at 375 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown

Photo: Biscuit image prior to baking.

 Slow Cooker Ham Instructions:

This is one of the simplest recipes and the resulting ham is sweet and delicious. 

• Pack the bottom of your slow cooker with a 1/2 inch layer of brown sugar
• Place the ham in the slow cooker on top of the brown sugar
• Cover the ham with a layer of packed brown sugar
• Cook on high for 4 hours
• Slice ham to desired thickness, assemble biscuits and enjoy!