It’s fall, y’all!  Harvest Season is here Avoyelles! These recipes can be found in “From the Pages of Time” Cookbook by Avoyelles Council on Aging.  What two better ingredients to work with than sweet potatoes and pecans from yes, Avoyelles Parish.

Sweet Potato Bread by Annabelle J. Blanchard

1 3/4 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 1/2 Cups Mashed Sweet Potatoes
1 1/2 Cups Sugar
2 Eggs
1/2 Cup Cooking Oil
1/2 Cup Chopped Pecans
6 Tablespoons Orange Juice
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1 Teaspoon Nutmeg
3/4 Teaspoon Salt
1/4 Teaspoon Allspice
1/4 Teaspoon Cloves

In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients.  In a small bowl, whisk eggs, sweet potatoes, oil and orange juice.  Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in pecans.  Transfer to a greased 9x5x3-inch loaf pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.  Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan.

Praline Muffins by Connie Ducote

1 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Cup Chopped Pecans
1/2 Cup Flour
2/3 Cup Butter, Melted
2 Eggs, Beaten

Mix all of the ingredients together in a small bowl.  Spoon into miniature muffin tins that been sprayed with Bakers Joy.  Bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees.  Makes approximately 3 dozen.

Avoyelles Parish cookbooks are available for sale in the gift shop located at ACT Office, 8592 Highway 1 Suite 3, Mansura, LA 71350.  We ship books for cost of book plus $5.00 for postage and handling.  Call (800) 833-4195  for details or e-mail us at [email protected].