I have to say, I’m not sad to see these muffins go.
They were a fun treat to have around, but I’m ready for a different breakfast! While the fruit/yogurt/_______/nut butter combo never gets old, I do like to switch it up every once in a while. Still, it’s a filling and satisfying breakfast to have at work after early morning class!
To snack, a Golden Delicious apple. These aren’t my favorite- I prefer them tart and crisp!- but none of the other apples at the market were in great shape.
I was absolutely ravenous when it was time for family meal, and luckily it was just what I was in the mood for: cheese, mushroom + caramelized onion quesadillas with jalepeño guacamole and a side salad with sesame dressing. Chowed down in less than 5.
After work, Ari and I both found ourselves succumbing to temptation of “the afternoon nap.” I almost always feel the urge to climb in bed and snooze at the end of the workday, but usually try to push through and wait until bed. This time, though, we were both so exhausted- we’ve both had very early mornings the past couple days- so we took an hour and a half nap. It was 7:30 when we woke up and VERY hard to wake ourselves up, but we finally changed for the gym and each had a nice workout that left us feeling energized.
It was after 9 when I started making dinner, and although I got some great suggestions on Twitter about what to make with the ingredients I had on hand, but they were a little too involved for the time of night- and my level of hunger! So instead I whipped up something quick- and delicious!- that I know I’ll be making again in the very near future. It was so quick, in fact, that I was eating less than 15 minutes after I started cooking. And the ingredients? Fresh and inexpensive!
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SWEET POTATO STUFFED WITH CARAMELIZED TEMPEH AND SAUTEED KALE
Serves 1
Ingredients
- 1 small sweet potato
- 1 cup loosely packed kale, coarsely chopped
- 1/3 block tempeh, cut into thin and small pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
- 1 T olive oil
- 1 t brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
Wash your sweet potato and stab it all over with a fork. Wrap it in a damp paper towel and microwave it for 3- 4 minutes or tender all over. (If there are light, hard spots when you cut it open, microwave in additional 30 second increments until done.)
Meanwhile, start your tempeh. Heat oil in a medium-sized skillet and add garlic. Cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add tempeh and coat evenly in oil, 2 minutes. Add brown sugar and toss. At this point the pan may begin to smoke; pour vegetable broth in a steady stream to deglaze the pan. Add kale and mix with the broth and tempeh. Lower the heat and cover the pan, cooking for 2 minutes or until kale is wilted.
Cut the sweet potato lengthwise on your plate and cover with kale and tempeh mixture. Enjoy! I ate this hot, making sure that each bite had sweet potato, tempeh, and kale. The flavors go so well together! However, you can also peel and dice the sweet potato, mix it with the tempeh and kale, refrigerate and eat as a cold salad.
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For dessert, I had the last of my So Delicious minis… don’t laugh, but these are actually almost too mini for me! I almost always end up sneaking to my secret chocolate stash for a little bite.
Something fun to watch: Ari was on Good Day New York yesterday morning with Vanessa Carlton playing the single off her latest record, Rabbits on The Run (out July 26), part of which he co-wrote. The single, “Carousel,” is in the video below, and is also available on iTunes. I personally LOVE the song and have gotten it stuck in my head so many times since the first time I heard it!
“>Good Day New York
GREAT VIDEO! Vanessa–introduce the band next time.
I’ll have to remember to come back and check that video out as I’m at work and have no speakers on my pc! Love the sound of that simple sweet potato meal. I’m really into my fruit, yoghurt, nut butter and whatever else breakfasts right now too!
Wow your friend is a musician? I don’t know anybody famous!!! Did you make the quesadillas? Cause that recipe would make me really happy!!
for quite some time, my go-to quick meal was sweet potato with basically anything delicious on top. mashed with a little butter or extra cheese, depending upon what i was making. so so good!
Sometimes Naps are SO necessary! I have been trying to sneak in a 20-30 minute nap midday as I’ve been getting closer to the end of my pregnancy. Stuffed potatoes! One of my most favorite meals. Its actually on the menu this week. And that quesadilla sounds terrific
I just had a sweet potato hash for lunch; it was so delicious, healthy, and FAST! I just popped a couple small sweet taters in the micro for ~5 min while I showered off my post-gym sweatiness, and then I chunked them, threw them in a pan with some butter and diced onion, let everything caramelize up for like 5 minutes, dash of cinnamon, sprinkle of salt, and plated it up with a drizzle of maple syrup and some eggs scrambled in the very same pan! Mmm, delicious, easy, 10-minute dish.
The bunnies have been getting to my Kale in the garden, so I harvested a bunch of it today and will cook it tonight. I have some sweet potatoes on hand, so this looks perfect! The jalapeño guacamole looks awesome. Do you know what they put in it that makes it a little more watery than your standard avocado guac? I hope you’re well Katie!
wow that’s a pretty effort filled breakfast! i can’t bake worth crap. i’ve been having a smoothie everyday since it’s been warm. i let the vitamix do all my work heh. wow that’s awesome about ari!
After a week of vacation, I’m all about quick and healthy meals. This sweet potato dish looks really good! girl can’t survive on pina coladas alone, unfortunately
Gah! I love recipes that require 10 or less ingredients. I have all of those in my fridge except tempeh, though.
I’ve been looking for those ice cream bars everywhere but I can’t seem to find them!
I loved Vanessa Carlton when I was like, in the 5th grade. I always thought she was great but then she disappeared for quite some time. I’m glad she’s coming back though! And it’s so great that Ari was able to co-write a song with her, that’s so exciting!!
love this quick recipe! it seriously has three of my favorite foods… sounds perfect and easy!
i feel like sweet taters are always SO good in clutch situations. like 5 minutes ago when i wanted lunch ummm hello sweet potato stash! how cool ari was on good day! i’m clicking over riiiight now to watch
My hubby and I are addicted to all that is caramelized at the moment. We get excited for any recipe I see with that word anywhere in the title!
I love sweet potatoes and this looks like a great combination and something different to do; can’t wait to try it. I’ve been meaning to google about microwaving as some say that it destroys the nutrients in food. I use a lot of sweet potatoes as I also chop/process with spinach, garlic and carrots to mix in my dog’s food but I’ve always baked them being hesitant to microwave. Seeing your recipe prompted me to check and this is the most interesting article I found: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/17/health/17real.html
What are your thoughts about microwaving vs baking?
Enjoyed the Vanessa video. Ari is so talented! Hope to see more from The Upwelling soon.
Thanks for the info, looking forward to purchase this album.