Candied Yams

INGREDIENTS:

   2      pounds yams,  peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick
 1 1/2  cups  water     
   1      teaspoon vanilla extract
   4      tablespoons unsalted butter softened
     1/2  cup granulated sugar,  more to taste
     1/2  cup light brown sugar,  more to taste
     1/2  teaspoonground cinnamon
     1/2  teaspoonground allspice
   1      cup raisins
   2      cups pineapple chunks

1.  Preheat the oven to 400 deg. F.  Place the yams in a 12- by 12-inch baking
pan.  Pour in the water and vanilla.  Mix the butter, both sugars, cinnamon,
and allspice in a small bowl until blended.  Sprinkle this mixture over the
yams.  Cover the baking pan tightly and bake for 45 minutes.

2.  Sprinkle the raisins and pineapple chunks over the yams and baste them
with the juices in the pan.  Cover the yams and continue baking until very
tender and the juices are bubbling, about 20 minutes.  Serve hot from the pan.