Sometimes I have no idea what’s for dinner. Seriously, none. I’ll go to the grocery store and sometimes something new will pop out at me, and some days I’m reminded of an old favorite. Today was one of those “pop out at me” kind of days… and I LOVE when that happens!
I braved Valli Produce this afternoon (and when I say braved, I mean it. People get MEAN with their carts!) and perused the interesting vegetables. I wasn’t feeling quite that adventurous. Then I saw that a favorite fall ingredient was on sale: garnet yams. Then, like a slot machine, the ingredients lined up in my head:
- yams
- black beans
- tortillas
- chicken
- tomato paste
- hot pepper
- chili powder
- chicken broth
- cheese
Any guesses?
Well, if you saw my Tweet, you know that it was Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Black Bean Enchiladas! I’m so pleased with how these came out, and I’m glad I took the time to cook the potatoes the way I’d envisioned rather than rushing it in the microwave.
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 lb. chicken breasts, trimmed and diced
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
- 1 small can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 jalapeño, diced
- 1/4 tsp. oregano
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1/2 c. chicken broth
Sauce
- 1 box chicken broth
- 1 small can tomato paste
- 1 tsp. minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp. chili powder
- slurry of cornstarch and water
Other ingredients
- 12 corn tortillas
- shredded cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 350*. In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil and garlic. Add the sweet potatoes and lightly brown on each side. Add the chicken broth and spices, and simmer until potatoes are softened. Add the chicken and jalapeño and cook until chicken is done. Add the black beans and stir well. Remove from heat. To make the sauce: heat garlic and chicken broth in a small pot. Add tomato paste and simmer until reduced by about 1/4. Add the slurry and cook until thickened. Pour about 1/4 of the sauce into the bottom of a baking dish. Put about 2 Tbsp of the mixture into each corn tortilla and lay, seam side down, in the pan with the enchilada sauce.
- A very very happy birthday to my (and all of our) friend Gina!
- What’s for Dinner was named one of the 25 Top Food Blogs for Foodies!
Tomorrow is Friday the 13th… people always say it’s bad luck, but I tend to disagree! Tomorrow marks 15 days until our wedding! Then, Saturday is my Bachelorette Party!!!!
Have a great Friday all!
i’m catching up on your blog and everything looks so freaking good. i may need to go get myself a snack soon!
jessie´s last blog ..worth a thousand words
Great meal components; and congratulations on the blog recognition!
Many times I also have no idea what to make for dinner. We love enchiladas, too.
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is´s last blog ..Autumn Cobbler.
Oh man those look delicious! Congratulations for the top 25! That’s awesome, Mara!!! Have fun at your bachelorette party!
Christina´s last blog ..Southwestern Rice and Bean Bowl
congrats on the top 25! that’s awesome!!!
thank you for the bday shout out my friend <3 love you!
and you celebrated with enchi's?????? yeahhhhhhhh!!!
gina (fitnessista)´s last blog ..Bow Pose with Oikos and a GIVEAWAY
I could totally veganize those. Thanks for the inspiration, my award winning friend!
That looks fanfreakingtastic!
Congrats on making the top 25! You totally deserve it.
Spiceaholic´s last blog ..A Thursday treat (or two!)
Haha – “people get mean with their carts” that’s why I hate carts! People just plow into you or leave them in the middle of the aisle – grr!!
Congrats on your top 25!! You and your blog deserve the award
HAPPY FRIDAY!!
Congrats on making the top 25! That’s awesome
These enchiladas look outstanding. Can you believe I’ve never made enchiladas before??
Rose´s last blog ..I need your help.
Oh wow! Those enchiladas look really good!! I’m a recipe kinda girl…I am not creative at all. I could not just go to the store and come up with something (other than spaghetti and marinara) to make for dinner. I have to plan all recipes for the week ahead. I’m lame like that.
Melissa´s last blog ..138.6
I’m a big yam lover, too. This must be peak of the season, because last week they were on sale for 25-cents a pound. Needless to say, I’ve been yamming it up every day for the past week. My daily post-workout breakfast has been a hamburger with a side of sauteed yams and onions.
Those enchiladas look great; I’ve done a similar recipe but with butternut squash instead of yams.
Great looking dinner and have fun at your party tomorrow night
Mandy Young´s last blog ..UPDATE AND NEW NOVEMBER CHALLENGE…
Those sound fabulous. I’m thinking a little pop of green in the form of spinach would work really well in them as well
And congrats on being such an awesome blogger!
Marianne´s last blog ..Another Week Bites The Dust