Vanilla Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes cleaned and left a bit damp
• 11/16 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 vanilla bean split lengthwise and seeds scraped
• 1 teaspoon orange zest grated, optional
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
• kosher salt
• white pepper in a mill
• 4 star anise
• 1/2 tablespoon juniper berries
• 1 1/3 tablespoons cardamom
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• 1/3 vanilla bean split lengthwise, seeds scraped
• 2 pieces dried orange peel optional
• 1 cup oil
• 1 canola