Patat ak let, the perfect late night snack!

Sweet Memories. When the aroma of cinnamon infused sweet milk filled the house, you knew what time it was. You wait in anticipation as your Mom softly hums her church hymns while gently stirring the sweet milk. She knows your big innocent brown eyes are peeking around the corner of the kitchen wall. She turns her head and notices that you've moved from the corner and you're now standing in front of the icebox. She smiles at you with her beautiful round brown face and soft chubby cheeks. As she ladles the warm milk into a small bowl she hears your tiny feet scurrying over, and you wrap your arms around her leg. She looks down into your eyes and ask the question you've been waiting to hear " Ou grangou cheri?

" (Are you hungry my love?)

Enjoy my mom Suzie and aunt Lizannes recipe for Patat Ak Let. I'm sure some of you are saying "Wow! I haven't had that in years.". Well guess what, now is the perfect time to enjoy a nice warm bowl of Patat Ak Let. Make it this Saturday morning for breakfast.

P.S. Save a tiny bit as a late night snack, it's sooooooooooo good. Enjoy!

Serves 3-4

Ingredients:

3 lbs of Boniato Potato

3 cans of evaporated milk

1 & 1/2 cups of water

OR if you prefer you can substitute evaporated milk and water for 6 cups of whole milk

4-5 cinnamon sticks

5 star anise

1 tbsp pure vanilla extract

1/2 tsp salt ( for boiling Boniato potatoes)

1/2 tsp salt ( to add to cinnamon stick Infused sweet milk)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

Rinse your Boniato potatoes in cold water to remove any dirt. Also, remove a thin layer on each end tip of the Boniato potato. Cut off any parts of the potato that appears discolored. Add your potatoes to a pot of water. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and boil uncovered for 25 to 40 minutes until the potatoes are fork tender. Once your potatoes are fork tender carefully remove the pot from the stove and drain the water from the pot. Set pot aside and allow boniato potatoes to cool. In a separate large pot add your evaporated milk, water, cinnamon sticks, star anise, vanilla extract and salt. Turn your stove to medium and allow milk to come to a low boil . Once milk comes to a low boil stir in your sugar until it dissolves, then immediately decrease the temperature too Low and allow milk to simmer for an additional 8-10 minutes uncovered. While milk is simmering peel your boniato potatoes, then slice boniato potatoes into extra large 1 inch disk or chunks. Evenly distribute the large chunks into three separate bowls. Once cinnamon stick infused milk has simmered for 8-10 minutes evenly pour over boniato potatoes using a ladle. Garnish with cinnamon sticks, star anise and a light dusting of ground cinnamon.

Enjoy!

The Boniato Potato is the only potato used for this recipe. It has a low moisture content that pairs nicely with the milk. It also has a gentle sweetness that is not overpowering in this dish. The Boniato potato is known as the sweet potato of the Caribbean.