The combination of sweet potatoes, chilies, and cheese is downright sensuous. Serve with Summer Squash and Corn Sauté (page 209) and a simple tossed salad.

　　

Ingredients

4 servings

　　2 medium sweet potatoes

　　One 4- to 7-ounce can chopped mild green chilies

　　4 soft taco-size (8- to 10-inch) flour tortillas

　　1 cup grated cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, or cheddar- or Jack-style soy cheese

　　Reduced-fat sour cream or soy yogurt for topping, optional

　　

Step 1

Bake or microwave the sweet potatoes in their skins until done but still firm. When cool enough to handle, peel, and slice 1/4 inch thick.

　　

Step 2

To make quesadillas, preheat the oven to 400°F. Arrange the sweet potatoes and chilies on the entire surface of 2 tortillas. Sprinkle with the cheese, and cover with the remaining tortillas. Arrange the quesadillas on a nonstick baking sheet and bake until the tortillas become lightly golden and crisp on the outside, 12 to 15 minutes; or grill them on a nonstick griddle on both sides until golden. Cut each quesadilla into 4 equal wedges, allowing 2 wedges per serving, and eat out of hand.

　　

Step 3

To make soft tacos, arrange the sweet potato slices in a single layer on one half of each tortilla, then top with the chilies and the cheese. Arrange on individual plates. Heat each serving briefly in the microwave (about 1 minute) or preheated 400°F oven (about 3 minutes) to melt the cheese, then fold over. Eat at once with a knife and fork (topped with sour cream if desired) or cut into 2 wedges and eat out of hand.

　　

quesadillas and soft tacos

Step 4

Quesadillas are grilled turnovers made with flour tortillas. They can be cooked on a griddle (that’s the traditional way) or baked. If they are chock-full of ingredients, it’s easier to bake them. Soft tacos made with flour tortillas are more versatile than the more familiar crisp tacos, since you don’t have to worry about everything falling out of a crumbly shell. If you start making a quesadilla, but decide not to grill it, you’ve got a soft taco instead. That’s why I offer the either/or option with the four recipes that follow.

　　

nutrition information

Step 5

Calories: 378

　　

Step 6

Total Fat: 12g

　　

Step 7

Protein: 13g

　　

Step 8

Carbohydrate: 52g

　　

Step 9

Cholesterol: 30mg

　　

Step 10

Sodium: 391mg

　　The Vegetarian 5-Ingredient Gourmet