Experience the perfect balance of sweet and savory with Kiss My Yam, a seasoning blend designed to complement the rich flavors of ham and the natural sweetness of yams. This unique blend enhances dishes with warmth, depth, and a touch of spice.
Flavor Profile:
Kiss My Yam features a harmonious combination of brown sugar, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, paprika, ground ginger, and a hint of cayenne. It delivers a perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and slightly spicy flavors, making it ideal for both savory and sweet dishes.
Pairing Suggestions:
Ham & Pork: Use Kiss My Yam as a rub for baked or glazed ham, pork tenderloin, or smoked pork chops.
Sweet Potatoes & Yams: Sprinkle over roasted, mashed, or candied yams for a flavor boost.
Casseroles & Gratin: Add depth to creamy sweet potato gratins and baked casseroles.
Breads & Biscuits: Mix into biscuit dough or cornbread batter for a subtly spiced, Southern-inspired flavor.
Recipe Ideas:
Glazed Ham with Kiss My Yam: Coat a ham with Kiss My Yam, brown sugar, and a drizzle of honey before roasting for a flavorful caramelized crust.
Sweet Potato Gratin: Layer thinly sliced sweet potatoes with cream, cheese, and Kiss My Yam for a rich and savory dish.
Spiced Cornbread Muffins: Add Kiss My Yam to cornbread batter for a warm, slightly sweet kick.
Let Kiss My Yam bring the comforting flavors of the South to your kitchen, making every dish a little more irresistible!
1. Kiss My Yam Glazed Ham
A Southern classic with a sweet and spicy glaze that caramelizes beautifully on a baked ham.
Ingredients:
1 (8-10 lb) bone-in ham (fully cooked)
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup honey
¼ cup Dijon mustard
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons Kiss My Yam seasoning
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon ground cloves (optional, for depth)
½ cup orange juice
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Place ham in a roasting pan, flat side down.
Score the ham by making shallow cuts in a crisscross pattern.
Make the glaze: In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Kiss My Yam seasoning, cinnamon, smoked paprika, cloves, and orange juice. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Brush glaze over ham, covering all exposed areas. Tent with foil.
Bake for 1.5 to 2 hours, basting every 30 minutes with more glaze.
Remove foil for the last 20 minutes and let the glaze caramelize.
Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with mashed sweet potatoes or biscuits!
2. Southern Candied Yams with Kiss My Yam
A rich, buttery, caramelized yam dish that melts in your mouth. Perfect for holidays or Sunday dinner!
Ingredients:
3 lbs sweet potatoes (yams), peeled and sliced into ½-inch rounds
½ cup butter (1 stick), melted
¾ cup brown sugar
¼ cup maple syrup or honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons Kiss My Yam seasoning
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
½ cup pecans (optional, for crunch)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Arrange the sweet potato slices evenly in the dish.
Make the glaze: In a bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, Kiss My Yam seasoning, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg.
Pour the glaze over the sweet potatoes, tossing to coat evenly.
Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
Uncover and bake for 15 more minutes, or until the syrup thickens and the potatoes are caramelized.
Optional: Sprinkle with pecans and return to oven for 5 minutes for a toasted crunch.
Historical Context of Ham and Yams in Southern Cooking
The pairing of ham and yams has deep roots in Southern American cuisine, reflecting a history of agricultural abundance, preservation techniques, and cultural influence. Ham, traditionally cured and smoked, has been a staple in the Southern diet since colonial times, when European settlers and enslaved African communities used salt curing and smoking to preserve pork. Meanwhile, yams (often referring to sweet potatoes in the U.S.) became a significant crop in the South, thriving in the warm climate and sandy soils of states like North Carolina, Georgia, and Louisiana.
By the 19th century, sweet potatoes were widely used in Southern kitchens, appearing in both savory and sweet dishes. Cookbooks such as The Virginia Housewife (1824) by Mary Randolph and What Mrs. Fisher Knows About Old Southern Cooking (1881) by Abby Fisher include recipes for candied sweet potatoes, sweet potato puddings, and ham preparations, illustrating how these ingredients were fundamental to Southern home cooking.
The tradition of pairing sweet potatoes with cured ham emerged as a natural balance of flavors—the salty, smoky richness of ham complemented by the caramelized sweetness of yams. This combination became especially popular during holiday feasts and Sunday dinners, where slow-roasting and glazing techniques were used to enhance the flavors.
The "Kiss My Yam" seasoning blend is a modern interpretation of these classic Southern flavors, drawing on historical seasonings like brown sugar, black pepper, garlic, thyme, and warm spices like cinnamon and ginger. This blend reflects the evolution of Southern spice traditions, where both African and European culinary influences shaped the region’s distinctive flavor profiles.
Where Would These Recipes Be Found?
These types of ham and sweet potato dishes have been featured in classic and modern Southern cookbooks, including:
"The Virginia Housewife" – Mary Randolph (1824)
One of the earliest American cookbooks, showcasing early Southern recipes, including ham and sweet potato preparations.
"What Mrs. Fisher Knows About Old Southern Cooking" – Abby Fisher (1881)
One of the first cookbooks written by an African American chef, featuring traditional Southern flavors, including candied yams and baked ham.
"The Taste of Country Cooking" – Edna Lewis (1976)
A celebration of traditional Southern farm cooking, with seasonal recipes for roasted ham and sweet potatoes.
"Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine, One Plate at a Time" – Adrian Miller (2013)
A modern exploration of the African American influence on Southern cuisine, including the role of sweet potatoes and smoked meats.
"The Gift of Southern Cooking" – Edna Lewis & Scott Peacock (2003)
A deep dive into Southern food traditions, featuring classic glazed ham and sweet potato dishes.
The Kiss My Yam Glazed Ham and Southern Candied Yams with Kiss My Yam recipes honor these historic traditions, blending old-world techniques with modern seasoning to create dishes that reflect the heart and soul of Southern cooking.
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