I wowed the folks at the New Year's Day party with this recipe from one of Jeanne Lemlin's Quick Vegetarian Pleasures cookbooks.

Sweet Potatoes Anna

Thinly slice 3 or so large sweet potatoes or yams (yams, the orange ones, are prettier but both are tasty). You want little rounds. Using a vegetable peeler is not a bad idea. Submerge these in cold water if they start to go black on you too quickly. Melt butter, about half a cup. Brush a little of this on the bottom of a pie pan--springform is best if you've got it. then create a nice spiraling layer of potato on the bottom. Atop this, brush more butter, a little nutmeg, and some freshly grated parmesan. I only use parmagiano reggiano, which is exquisite in this. Salt and pepper, if you like. Then do another layer of potato, and repeat until all ingredients are utilized.

Bake, covered in foil, for 45 minutes in a 425º degree oven, then uncover and bake about a half-hour, or till crusty and delicious looking.