The Sweet Potato 3 Ways

  

 

 The Sweet Potato is so versatile and so full of amazing nutrients.  Click the link to see why you should fall in love with this awesome root.

When I am preparing mine I always give the skin a good scrubbing.  When you eat the potatoe with the skin on, it gives you 4 times the amount of Beta Carotene!

I always wrap mine in foil and line my tray for easy clean up. 

 I just wrap up the foil and the clean up is nothing!

 Everyone in my house takes their Sweet Potato a little different.
My Boy's all prefer a little crunch - this is why there are chips with this  - you could make the most beautiful meal and one of the guys are going to say - "Got any Chips?"  Im okay with this now, but as a newly wed - not so much.

The little guys like their Sweet Potatoes with the traditional cinnamon, brown sugar and butter topping.  This is more of a dessert to me, but knowing all the great nutrients they are getting in their spud I let that go too!

 My girl prefers her with a Balsamic Honey Vinaigrette. It is so easy to make because I use a Good Season's Salad Dressing mix as my base.  I swap the regular vinegar the pkg calls for and use Balsamic.  Then I add Honey to sweeten the pot a little bit.  It is so delicious, I love it this way as well. 

Today I tried something new that I seen in Whole Living magazine.  I was surprised at how much I really enjoyed it.
On a Baked Sweet Potato squeeze several Orange wedges. Then top with some chopped pecans!  This has a very bright flavor.  I so enjoyed it and just had to share!  Any time there is a new idea for a way to Top a Sweet Potato I am ready to hear it.  They are so easy for this home-school momma to prepare for lunch they are a staple in our house! 

Cheesy Spinach Roll-Ups

My friend Sonya shared this with me several years ago.  I have been enjoying this dish - that is very similar to Lasagna ever since. 

Ingredients:
17 lasagna noodles

Mix in a bowl:
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella 
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp salt 
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp pepper
Box of frozen spinach, thawed and drained, squeezed and then patted dry! (in other words - get all the liquid out you can!)

Saute together:
4 Tbsp Butter
1/2 Onion chopped

1 jar of Ragu Mushroom sauce (or your favorite variety)

Take 1 cup of your filling mixture and spread in a 9X13 pan.
In each individual noodle spread 1/3 cup of your cheesy filling and roll up.  Place Seam side down in your baking dish. Top the Cheesy Spinach Roll-ups with the Marinara sauce.  Sprinkle with a bit more Parmesan Cheese.
Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes or until it is bubbling.
Serve with Salad and French Bread!
This will usually yield 12 Cheesy Spinach Roll-ups.  If you have extra's you will just need to have more marinara on hand. 

WHITE BEAN AND KALE SOUP

submitted by Stephanie Doll

1 Tbs olive oil
1 small onion, halved and thinly sliced
3 cups chopped kale
1 small garnet yam, peeled and diced
1 Tbs smoked sweet paprika
1 Tbs curry powder
1 bay leaf
4 cups low sodium vegetable broth
2 15 oz. cans great northern beans, drained and rinsed, divided
2 Tbs red wine vinegar

1. heat oil in saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook 8 minutes or until lightly caramelized, stirring often

2. add kale, and cook 4 to 5 minutes or until wilted. Stir in yam, paprika, curry powder, and by leaf; cook 1 minute more or until fragrant.

3. Add broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook 30 minutes or until kale and yam are tender. Puree 1 cup beans with 3/4 cup water in a blender or food processor. Add puree and remaining beans to soup. Simmer 10 minutes, then stir in vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.

serves 6

GRILLED SESAME-TOFU SKEWERS WITH GINGER PEANUT SAUCE

submitted by Stephanie Doll

1/2 cup fresh orange juice
4 Tbs low-sodium soy sauce, divided
1 Tbs toasted sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, minced, divided
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 12 oz. pkg. extra firm smoked tofu cut into 16 cubes
1/4 cup natural creamy peanut butter
3 Tbs minced fresh ginger
2 Tbs light brown sugar

1. combine orange juice, 2 Tbs soy sauce, sesame oil, 1 tsp garlic, and red pepper flakes. Let stand 15 minutes at room temperature. Fold in tofu, cover, and marinate 1 hour or overnight stirring occasionally

2. soak 16 wood skewers in cold water 1/2 hour. Preheat grill. Drain tofu, and thread on skewers. Grill 5-7 minutes or until lightly browned on all sides, turning occasionally.

3. whisk together peanut butter, remaining 1 tsp.garlic, ginger, brown sugar, remaining soy sauce, and 1/3 cup warm water to make thick sauce. Serve skewers with dipping sauce

Serves 8

CURRIED APPLE-POTATO SOUP

submitted by Stephanie Doll

2 large russet potatoes
3 large medium-tart apples (gala or braeburn, cored but NOT peeled)
2 Tbs olive oil
1 Tbs curry powder
2 tsp onion powder

1. preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheet with parchment paper, and prick potatoes all over with fork. Bake 30 minutes. Place apples on same baking sheet and bake 30-45 minutes more, or until both apples and potatoes are very soft. Cool 10-15 minutes, or until easy to handle. Scoop flesh from potatoes and apples and mash with hand masher in bowl

2. heat oil in saucepan over medium heat. Add curry and onion powders and cook 30 seconds or until fragrant, stirring constantly. Stir in apple-potato mixture and 4 cups water, and season with salt and pepper. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasonings if necessary, and serve hot or cold.

MEXICAN RICE

submitted by Stephanie Doll

1 Tbs olive oil
1 cup instant brown rice
1 cup frozen corn
1 cup frozen peas
8 green onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp dried oregano
2 Tbs tomato paste

1. heat oil in saucepan over medium-high heat. Add rice and saute 3 to 4 minutes, or until beginning to brown. Add corn, peas, green onions, garlic, cumin, and oregano, and saute 1 minute.

2. spoon tomato paste in 2-cup measuring cup. Add enough boiling water to make 2 cups, and stir to combine. Pour tomato paste mixture into rice, and season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 15 minutes, or until all liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat, and fluff with fork just before serving.

serves 4

CHICKPEA TACOS

submitted by Stephanie Doll

1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced
1 15 oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
4 tsp fresh lime juice
1 clove garlic minced
8 corn taco shells
2 cups baby salad greens
1 cup salsa
1/2 cup nondairy sour cream (Tofutti is my favorite!)

1. Place avocado in small bowl, and mash with fork. Stir in chickpeas, lime juice, and garlic; season with salt and pepper

2. Set taco shells, salad, salsa, and sour cream in separate bowls alongside chickpea-avocado mash

3. Build your own taco

serves 4 people