Tag Archives: cilantro

Sweet Potatoes and Black Beans Two Ways

Low Calorie, Main Courses, Vegan, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I use the words “sweet potato” and “yam” interchangeably.  I prefer yams though.  Garnet yams to be precise.  I love the combination of slightly sweet garnet yams and earthy black beans.  Here are two ways that I like to serve this vitamin-rich combination.  

I like to make these dishes at the same time, have the tacos for a Saturday night dinner or Sunday lunch and refrigerate or freeze the enchiladas for an easy weeknight meal in the future.  I make the cilantro pesto in my mini food processor, transfer it to containers, then use the unwashed processor bowl to make the black bean dip.  The black bean dip benefits from the bit of pesto remaining in the bowl.  

I went a little crazy with the pickled onions in the picture, but I do love them.  

sweet potato tacos

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Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos with Cilantro Pesto

These tacos are vegan, but adored by meat-eaters as well.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 red onion thinly sliced
  • 3 TBSP rice vinegar I use seasoned vinegar, but unseasoned will work fine too.
  • 1 medium or large yam or sweet potato l like garnet yams, cut into 1-2 inch pieces
  • 1 TBSP canola or olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1 1/2 tsp ancho chile or chipotle
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 recipe Black Bean Dip
  • 1 recipe Cilantro Pesto
  • 6 corn tortillas

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Combine sliced red onion and rice vinegar in small bowl and allow onions to marinate and pickle while you cook the potatoes.
  • Toss potato pieces with oil, spices, and salt and pepper.
  • Arrange potato pieces on a silpat or parchment-lined baking sheet. Make sure that potatoes are spaced and not touching each other so that they will roast and brown instead of steaming.
  • Roast potatoes for 15-20 minutes until softened and browned.
  • When potatoes are done, lightly grill tortillas on a cast iron grill pan until softened. (If you don't have a grill pan, you can put them in a skillet on medium heat until softened.)
  • Top tortillas with bean dip, potatoes, cilantro pesto and pickled red onions.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

All of the components of these tacos are great as leftovers, so you can keep the leftover components in the fridge and make the tacos for lunches and snacks until you have used up the leftovers.
Avocado slices are great on these tacos as well.

balck bean enchiladas

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Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas with Mole

If you're feeling motivated and want to make your own mole, I recommend an ancho and pepita or sesame based mole. However, Rick Bayless has a prepared mole that works great in this dish.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mole sauce
  • 1 batch Black Bean Dip
  • 1 large sweet potato cut into 1-2 inch pieces
  • 1 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1 1/2 tsp ancho
  • 1 pinch chipotle
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 8 corn tortillas

Optional Ingredients

  • 1 small bunch kale or chard tough stems removed, chopped and sauteed in olive oil with garlic
  • 1/2 to 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
  • Cilantro Pesto
  • Cliantro Lime Crema
  • sliced avacado
  • chopped cilantro or scallions

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Toss potato pieces with oil, spices, and salt and pepper.
  • Arrange potato pieces on a silpat or parchment-lined baking sheet. Make sure that potatoes are spaced and not touching each other so that they will roast and brown instead of steaming.
  • Roast potato for 15-20 minutes until softened and browned.
  • When potatoes are done, assemble enchiladas by pouring a thin layer of mole into the bottom of a 9x12 baking dish.
  • Spread a few tablespoons of bean dip in the center of the tortilla and top with ~6 potato pieces. (If using kale or chard, add a few tablespoons of the greens to the tortilla as well.)
  • Roll tortilla into a tube shape and place it seam side down in baking dish.
  • Continue rolling process until pan is full.
  • Cover enchiladas with remaining mole.
  • If using cheese, sprinkle on top of the dish.

To Bake

  • Preheat oven to 350 and bake covered with lid or foil for 15 minutes.
  • Remove foil and bake for 10 more minutes.
  • Serve garnished with cilantro pesto or crema, avacado, and chopped fresh cilantro or scallions.

Notes

Prepared enchiladas can be covered with plastic wrap for foil and refrigerated or frozen for future use. Defrost on the counter before baking.

Cilantro Pesto

Sauces and Condiments, , , , ,
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Cilantro Pesto

Ingredients

  • 1 large bunch cilantro washed and spun dry
  • 1 handful flat leaf parsley washed and spun dry
  • 2 TBSP minced red onion
  • 2 TBSP olive oil
  • Juice of one small lime
  • 1 TBSP red wine vinegar
  • 1 handful of cashews
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in food processor and puree until smooth.
  • If mixture is too liquid, add more cashews.
  • If mixture is too thick, add more oil and vinegar.

Notes

This is a small recipe that is meant as a condiment and may be difficult to make in a larger food processor. If you don't have a small food processor, I recommend doubling or triping the recipe and freezing leftovers in small containers for future use.

Summer Corn and Tomato Salad – Two Ways

Low Calorie, Salads, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Mexican Grilled Corn Salad / Summer Corn and Tomato Salad

Two variations on an easy salad that makes use of sweet summer corn and cherry tomatoes.
Servings: 6

Ingredients

Mexican Grilled Corn Salad

  • 2 ears grilled corn* removed from cob
  • 1 grilled jalepeno* seeded and minced (optional)
  • 1 grilled orange pepper* finely chopped
  • 1 pint cherry tomatos halved
  • 1 avocado finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic pressed or finely minced
  • juice of 1 lime
  • 2 TBSP olive oil
  • 1 TBSP red wine vinegar
  • 1 TSP agave nectar
  • 3 tbsp chopped cilantro or flat leaf parsley

Summer Corn and Tomato Salad

  • 2 ears grilled corn* removed from cob
  • 1 grilled medium zucchini* chopped
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 small red onion finely diced
  • 1 clove garlic pressed or finely minced
  • 2 TBSP olive oil
  • 2 TBSP red wine vinegar
  • 1 TSP agave nectar or you could use sugar
  • 3 TBSP basil chiffonade
  • Optional Additions-
  • 1/2 cup of fresh mozzarella perline, or other shape cut into small dice
  • 1-2 cups of cooked Israeli couscous turns the salad into a hearty lunch or light dinner

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients, toss and serve.

Notes

*To grill vegetables: Heat grill or grill pan to high heat. Spray vegetables with vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill, turning frequently until surface of vegetables are charred and flesh is lightly cooked.