Essensia's Executive Chef Frank
Jeanetti thinks traditional when it comes to planning a Thanksgiving
meal, whether at home or in his restaurant. "I like to keep it
simple and basic, but good," he says, adding that playing with
ingredients also goes into the process.
One of Chef Jeanetti's original sides
is his vanilla mashed sweet potatoes served with marshmallow gratin.
He describes the dish as "a favorite of the kids," who are
bound to indulge in the browned marshmallow component and soak up the
sweetness in the mashed vegetable. Chef Jeanetti provided the recipe for his creation.
Vanilla mashed sweet potatoes served
with marshmallow gratin
Ingredients:
- > medium to large sweet potatoes
roasted and peeled
- ½ lb. unsalted butter diced
- 4 oz. heavy cream
- 1 tbl. cinnamon powder
- 1 oz. pure vanilla extract
- 1 vanilla bean scraped
- 2 cups marshmallows
- salt & pepper to taste
Preparation:
Place peeled roasted sweet potatoes in
ricer or food mill and turn until smooth. Mix in diced unsalted
butter and heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper, add cinnamon,
vanilla extract and scraped vanilla bean and continue to mix. Place
mixture into a roasting pan or casserole dish. Top with marshmallows
and bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until marshmallows are golden
brown.
Chef Jeanetti's home style Thanksgiving
feast at Essensia will include the vanilla mashed sweet potatoes
served with marshmallow gratin as part of their holiday prix fixe
menu. Fixings also include soup, salad, free-range roasted turkey,
corned bread stuffing, brussel sprouts, yukon gold potatoes, and a
special sun-dried cranberry compote. The aim of Essensia and Chef
Jeanetti is to take that traditional philosophy and create a
home-away-from-home feel in the restaurant for visitors and locals
alike. "We want them to have a peaceful, quiet getaway,"
said Chef Jeanetti.
Essensia's Thanksgiving prix fixe menu
is $39 for adults and $19 for kids 12 and under; beverage not
included. The hours are from 5-10pm and a limited a la carte menu
will also be available. Reservations strongly recommended.
Essensia
The Palms Hotel & Spa
3025 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
305-908-5458