Nutritious Recipes on a Budget - Cheesy Sweet Potato Nachos

Many people want to know how to eat well on a tight budget.  One of the best vegetables to choose if you are on a tight budget( yet still want the biggest nutritional wallop that money can buy) is.... a sweet potato.

We have put together four super-nutritious, unique recipes using this uber-nutritious  vegetable. And all of them can be made for a family of four for under $10.  Plus we added a delicious way to enjoy a simple baked sweet potato.

1. Sweet Potato Nachos
2. Sweet Potato Curry
3. Sweet Potato Ravioli with Sage Butter Sauce
4. Sweet Potato Pie Brownies

To find out all the great health benefits of sweet potatoes, check out our previous blog

"Food Profile: Sweet Potato"

Sweet Potato Nachos

Everyone loves nachos but no one loves the guilty feeling after eating a plate! This simple recipe allows you to enjoy the luxury of melted cheese and guacamole with the healthy and filling benefits of Vitamin C, fiber and potassium packed sweet potatoes. Everyone including baby can enjoy this snack or light meal.

Serves: 4

Ingredients

-1 ½ lbs sweet potatoes

-1 ½ Tbsp vegetable oil

-1 tsp taco seasoning blend

-1 cup shredded cheese

-¼ cup rinsed and drained canned black beans

-¼ cup diced tomatoes
-¼ cup sliced black olives
-¼ cup sliced green onions

-3 Tbsp canned diced green chillies

-Serve with salsa, guacamole and sour cream (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Scrub sweet potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch thick wedges.
2. Place sweet potatoes into a medium size bowl with the oil and taco seasoning. Stir well to coat potatoes with oil and seasonings. For BABY avoid seasonings and set aside 3 wedges.
3. Transfer to a large baking sheet and spread into a single layer, BABY wedges separated from the seasoned. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring several times, until crisp and golden brown. 

4. Top seasoned wedges with cheese, beans, tomatoes, olives, onions and chillies.
5. Bake for 5 minutes more to melt cheese.
6. For baby 6 months+: Puree unseasoned wedges with 2 Tbsp liquid in processor until smooth. Add additional liquid if thinner consistency is desired. Serve.
7. For baby 10 months+: Pulse 3-4 seasoned wedges with 3 Tbsp of liquid until chunky texture is reached. Serve.
8. For rest of family: Serve with salsa, guacamole and sour cream.