Sweet Potatoes with Beans and Greens

sweet potato with kale

Damage was done over Thanksgiving weekend.

My family referred to me as "the biscuit monster" because I ate about 10... hundred.... thousand biscuits.

I layered a generous spread of Irish butter and top-notch jam over the warm, flaky pillows of heaven and I enjoyed each and every bite. Sadly, that was just the tip of the iceberg.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and every year I find it nearly impossible to curb my carb-loving appetite. It was a four-day streak of whiskey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, but it was also filled with LOADS of laughter with my family, a half dozen board games, and a "Back to the Future" marathon (well, almost. We didn't have the third one on hand). If you need to get back on track and want to remain "Ho-Ho Holiday Healthy" this season -- this recipe is for me and you, kid. We can do this together.

Sweet Potatoes with Beans and Greens

Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 50 mins Total time: 1 hour

Serves: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbs. coconut oil

  • 1 small onion, diced (1 cup)

  • 1 ½ lb. sweet potatoes, diced (3 cups)

  • 1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes, drained

  • 1 16-oz. jar prepared medium salsa

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)

  • 1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, drained and minced

  • 1 lb collards (or any leafy green like kale, chard, spinach, etc), ribboned

  • 1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained

  • 1 cup crumbed feta (optional)

  • 1 cup quinoa (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in separate saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 3 to 5 minutes, or until soft. Add sweet potatoes, tomatoes, salsa, garlic, chipotle chile, and 3/4 cup water; bring to a boil.

  2. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 50 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are soft.

  3. Add greens and cook for 5 minutes.

  4. Add black beans and cook 5 minutes.

  5. If you want to take this from vegan to vegetarian, stir in feta and remove from heat.

  6. Optional: While the sweet potatoes are cooking, you can make a side of quinoa by cooking 1 cup of quinoa with two cups of water. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt to the water to add some favor. Cook according to package.

  7. Add-On Ideas: Dollop of guacamole or sour cream/yogurt on top, chopped nuts, or you can make this a taco filling and wrap it up in a corn tortilla!