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Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Tuesdays are for Eating

That's the conclusion I've come to: Tuesdays are for Eating.
Delicious eating, that is.

Too bad the food that ends up tasting the best, always looks the worst.

And it's a good thing, too: Learning about family violence for nearly three hours does a number on your optimism. Especially since you all know how cheerful and in love I was just prior to it! 

It's such a difficult thing to grasp, too: I've been fortunate to never have to deal with an issue so troublesome personally, and have never even been witness to such things. I live in Vermont: there was one documented murder in 2008. [enter C.J. class from earlier today! hah] so I think part of why I find social problems so fascinating is because I can't quite comprehend the mindset of someone who would intentionally harm others: especially young children and elders.

But anyways, I won't send such thoughts your way, too. You're not here to get depressed.

I bet no one guessed I made a Tex-Mex Sweet Potato Pie while I was home earlier for dinner!
It. was. divine. If you like your sweet potatoes savory, like I do, then you've gotta try this :) Here's how I did it!


Cubed and boiled a sweet potato while having a love affair eating my lunch.
[we won't mention that due to the love affair I may or may not have over-boiled it slightly...]


Mashed the potato with half an onion, cream of broccoli soup, chili powder, cumin, franks, salt and pepper, and spread half in the bottom of a casserole dish.
Topped with a serving of pink beans and sprinkled with cumin, garlic powder, pepper, and chili powder.


In a separate, microwaveable bowl, I combined Quorn Chik'n Tender and 1 cheese wedge, and microwaved until cheese was melted. Then added chopped red and yellow pepper and salsa. Seasoned with pepper, garlic salt, chili powder, cumin. Spread on top of bean layer.


Spread remaining mashed sweet potato mixture on top, and sprinkled with paprika, parmesan, real bacon bits, chili powder, and pepper.

Threw it all in the fridge while I was away, got home and baked for...30m? at 415*.


So, that's what I did...and it was great! Loved all the flavors together. BUT! Next time I would either: nix the bottom sweet potato layer and just put it all on top, OR! Bake the bottom sweet potato layer until it firms up, and then continue the layering process, and then bake again. 
Obviously it was all cooked through, but the beans were a little soupy, so the bottom portion got a little soupy, rather than firmed up. It didn't bother me any, but it might be a nice added touch.


I also would "jazz up" the bean layer - maybe some cilantro and corn, and maybe a cheese wedge? But I didn't want to go through all that prep, and it was nice simple, too.

Paired it with an amazing salad. I love simple salads with minimal dressing...and remember that raspberry honey mustard I picked up last week? Well, I still hadn't used it...haven't been sure what to use it on! And then it clicked that it would make a great salad dressing!


So, that got drizzled over some romaine, red and yellow pepper, pickles, and feta. Carrots were added after - forgot about them!

Overall, a successful day :) I am so full right now...Not digging the whole "eating dinner at 7:45" thing, but I'd rather enjoy a nice hot meal at home than eat in class. I draw enough attention to myself when I start mowing down on dried veggie crisps. [true story. those things are loud. I can hardly hear the lecture...needless to say, I stopped and opted for the clif z bar in my pocket. what can I say? I'm always prepared. I always have food in my pocket.]

What was your good eats of the day??

4 comments:

  1. ohh, good idea! It's like a Mexican sweet potato cottage pie! I wouldn't have thought of that. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  2. Amazing potato pie! I may just copy you. Thanks for the tips. Baking the bottom layer sounds like a good idea. Simple salads with light dressing are great. I sometimes like to put warmed up leftovers on my salad which act as a dressing. Rice, couscous or quinoa work well.

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  3. I made my husband something similiar... It was bean and sweet potato enchiladas. He liked it but definitely missed the meat. I'll have to try this recipe on him :)

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  4. Sooo colorful! I love it! Sweet potatoes are simply delicious in every way!
    You always have such tasty looking food!

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