Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

What’s healthy, inexpensive, and has a face only a mother could love? A sweet potato - and I love ‘em all. They taste great and when roasted, go from good to absolutely great. As an added bonus, sweet potatoes are full of Vitamins A & C as are red peppers. Black beans pack in protein, fiber, and iron. Throw on a little dressing and you will be healthy, wealthier, and wise to the world of roasted sweet potatoes.

NB: You can make a lot of this or cut the recipe way down. Nothing too fussy with proportions. Here is the larger amount to start.

Heat oven to 450 degrees

Ingredients
3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes – no need to be super precise! Too big, however, and they may not cook through; too small and they may burn.
1 teaspoon salt
Olive oil
1 red pepper, remove inner core and seeds then chop into bite size pieces. Tiny, sweet grape tomatoes (halved) work well too. Just need some crunch and a pop of color.
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

Take a large baking sheet and cover with aluminum foil. Spray foil lightly with Pam. Spread cut sweet potatoes on baking sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle potatoes with salt and then drizzle with olive oil. Using your hands, lightly toss sweet potatoes to make sure all are covered with oil. You don’t want the pieces swimming in oil, just lightly coated.

Place sweet potatoes in oven for 20 -30 minutes. Ovens are notorious for varying in temperature (especially the ones found in dorms or inexpensive apartments) so keep an eye on your sweet potatoes. You want them to have a lovely brown roasted exterior on at least one side of each piece. It will help if you open oven after about 15 minutes and carefully use a heat proof spatula or turner to flip pieces over & about. There’s a fine line between a beautiful roasted crust and just plain burnt.

While potatoes are roasting, place red peppers and black beans in a serving bowl.

When sweet potatoes are done, remove from oven, and add to the red peppers and black beans. Add vinaigrette (see below) and toss gently. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm or at room temperature. Eat this alone, add some great bread, or tuck in to tortilla with cheese for a great quesadilla or burrito.

Vinaigrette
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

Place all three ingredients in small bowl with a pinch of salt and few grinds of pepper. Stir vigorously with fork.