Create Sweet Potato Poppers With A 'Real' Woman Of Philadephia

STUDIO CITY (CBS) — A finalist in the Real Women of Philadelphia Recipe Contest visited the KCAL 9 studios Friday.

Dalena Benavente of Orange is competing in the appetizer category and whipped up her Ginger Bacon Pecan Sweet Potato Poppers for KCAL noon crew. The contest is also sponsored by Paula Deen with four luck winners receiving $25,000.

The winner will be chosen on June 30 in Savannah, GA.

Ginger Bacon Pecan Sweet Potato Poppers

8 ounce(s) of Philly Cream Cheese
2 tbsp. of finely chopped glazed pecans
1/4 cup(s) of Chopped Bacon Bits
1 tsp. of fresh grated Ginger
3 tsp. of Maple Syrup
1/4 cup(s) of Glazed Pecan halves for garnish
6 medium-sized long straight Sweet Potatoes
2 tsp. of fresh Orange Zest

Steps
Peel sweet potatoes and slice into disks.
Hollow out a small cavity using a melon baller.
Brush with maple syrup.
Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.
Sear the top of each disk in a pan to give it color.
Set aside and let cool.
Mix remaining ingredients, except for the garnish, in a bowl.
Fill a plastic bag with the mixture and snip the corner.
Pipe each disk full of the filling.
Garnish with 1 glazed pecan each.

Cook Time: 25 minutes

For more on the contest, click here.