National Family Meals Month: Cooking with sweet potatoes

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Bring your family back to the dinner table for National Family Meals Month with a classic side dish – potatoes. 

Hy-Vee Savage Registered Dietitian Melissa Jaeger, RD, LD will show you how to turn this classic side dish into the star of the show with three delicious stuffed sweet potato recipes.  

Jaeger says Hy-Vee dietitians offer a variety of health services including store nutrition tours, the new Hy-Vee Healthy Habits program and their 10-week Begin™ weight management program - to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.

For additional information, reach out to your local Hy-Vee dietitian or visit their website. 

RECIPE #1: TACO STUFFED SWEET POTATOES

Ingredients

• 4 sweet potatoes, washed and scrubbed 
• 1lb 93% lean ground beef, turkey or chicken 
• 1 packet Mrs. Dash Taco Seasoning Mix 
• 1 – 2 roma tomatoes, diced 
• 1 jalapeno, diced Greek Yogurt – use in place of sour cream for a leaner topping 
• Salt & Pepper to taste 

**You can use any of your favorite additional toppings

Process

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Scrub the sweet potatoes under running water and then use a fork to poke holes on all sides of the sweet potato. 
2. Place sweet potatoes on a foil lined baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes or until tender.  
3. While potatoes are baking prepare remaining taco ingredients. Brown ground meat in a medium size skillet, add Mrs. Dash taco seasoning packet and prepare according to instructions.  
4. Wash and cut remaining toppings.  
5. Remove sweet potatoes from oven and cut down the center to create a pocket to add toppings.  
6. Add your favorite toppings, eat and enjoy!

RECIPE #2: APPLE, BACON, CARAMELIZED ONION AND CHEDDAR CHEESE SWEET POTATOES

Ingredients

• 4 sweet potatoes, washed and scrubbed 
• ½ lb bacon, crumbled 
• 2 medium yellow onions, sliced 
• 2 apples, diced (pick your favorite variety) 
• ½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded 
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Process

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Scrub the sweet potatoes under running water and then use a fork to poke holes on all sides of the sweet potato. 
2. Place sweet potatoes on a foil lined baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes or until tender.
3. While potatoes are baking prepare the toppings. Cook bacon according to package instructions. Wash produce and cut according to recipe.
4. Sauté sliced onion in 1 – 2 tbsp of oil over low heat to caramelize. Stir and toss onions frequently to avoid burning. Once onions have caramelized, remove from heat and lightly sauté the diced apple until the pieces have just softened.
5. Remove sweet potatoes from oven and cut down the center to create a pocket to add toppings. Add toppings and turn oven to broil.
6. Return sweet potatoes to oven for 1 – 2 minutes until cheese fully melts.  
7. Serve and enjoy! 

RECIPE #3: S'MORES STUFFED SWEET POTATOES 

Ingredients

• 4 sweet potatoes, washed and scrubbed 
• 1 cup mini marshmallows 
• 4 graham crackers, crumbled 
• 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Process

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Scrub the sweet potatoes under running water and then use a fork to poke holes on all sides of the sweet potato.
2. Place sweet potatoes on a foil lined baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes or until tender
3. While baking crumble graham crackers.
4. Once done remove sweet potatoes from oven and cut down the middle to create a pocket for toppings. Turn oven to broil.
5. Add desired toppings and stuffed sweet potatoes to the oven for 15 – 20 seconds until the mini marshmallows brown.
6. Serve and enjoy! 

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