I love sweet potatoes.
I really do.
Everytime I saw someone eat one, I just thought—bleh, who wants a potato that tastes sweet? Not I!
Well, in finding out that they are better for me than regular potatoes, and also finding that there are health benefits to them, I decided to give them a try.
Someone at work mentioned eating them without butter because it would be healthier that way and I just thought, oh I’m not sure about that but I’ll try.
Here’s my recipe for Black Bean Sweet Potatoes.
Black Bean Sweet Potatoes (makes 2)
1 minced garlic clove
½ cup black beans (with a little black bean juice)–I used my homemade black beans
½ cup salsa (I used my homemade salsa)
2 sweet potatoes
2 wedges of Laughing Cow Spreadable Cheese (I used the Garlic & Herb)
I’m usually in a really big hurry so I don’t like to spend a whole lot time waiting for my food to be ready to eat. I know that making stuff in the microwave isn’t the best for anyone but I didn’t have the time to put them in the oven.
So, I poked a bunch of holes with a fork all over my sweet potatoes, wrapped them in damp paper towels and put them in the microwave for 7 minutes. While magic was happening in the microwave I worked on the filling for my potatoes.
- Heat a skillet on medium and pour in black beans and minced garlic.
- Sauté for about 2 minutes until the liquid from the black beans start to evaporate.
- Add the salsa and allow to heat through.
- Take mixture off the heat.
When potatoes are done slice down the middle and fluff the inside a little with a fork. Break up the cheese wedges and put one in each potato. Then pour half of the black bean mixture on each sweet potato.
These sweet potatoes were so good. We added a small side salad and it was one very satisfying and healthy meal.
P.S. I have also baked these potatoes (400 degrees for 40 minutes) and they turn out just as wonderful, they just take a little more time.
Some tips for picking out sweet potatoes:
1. Get a small to medium size potato.
2. Make sure there is no obvious bruising or cuts on the outside.
3. Don’t get a potato if it has all the strings on the outside. It will be a “tough” potato.
4. Don’t refrigerate them once you’ve bought them. Keep them on the counter in a basket, they will last longer.
If you haven’t tried sweet potatoes, I totally recommend that you do!
