Black Bean-Smothered Sweet Potatoes

From EatingWell: December 2005/January 2006, EatingWell Serves Two — Subscribe Now!

For a quick and satisfying last-minute supper, it's hard to beat a sweet potato zapped in the microwave. The fragrant filling of beans and tomato adds protein, making it a nutritionally complete entree. Be sure to eat the potato skin; it's full of fiber.

READER'S COMMENT:

"I've always had my sweet potatoes with butter and brown sugar. I wasn't sure how this savory middle eastern flavor would mix with a sweet potato, but I had to try it. I was completely won over at the first bite! These are wonderful....

Black Bean-Smothered Sweet Potatoes Recipe

2 servings

Active Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Nutrition Profile

Ingredients

2 medium sweet potatoes
1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed
1 medium tomato, diced
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

Prick sweet potatoes with a fork in several places. Microwave on High until tender all the way to the center, 12 to 15 minutes. (Alternatively, place in a baking dish and bake at 425&ordm;F until tender all the way to the center, about 1 hour.)
Meanwhile, combine beans, tomato, oil, cumin, coriander and salt in a medium microwave-safe bowl; microwave on High until just heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. (Alternatively, heat in a small saucepan over medium heat.)
When just cool enough to handle, slash each sweet potato lengthwise, press open to make a well in the center and spoon the bean mixture into the well. Top each with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cilantro.

Nutrition

Per serving: 351 calories; 7 g fat (2 g sat, 4 g mono); 6 mg cholesterol; 61 g carbohydrates; 11 g protein; 12 g fiber; 468 mg sodium; 541 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (450% daily value), Vitamin C (45% dv), Iron (15% dv).

3 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 3 1/2 starch, 1/2 vegetable, 1 very lean meat, 1 fat