Sometimes you feel like a taco.
Sometimes a bite is better.
It was a Monday; the taco bite happened by accident. After being deep in full taco makings, I decided half was all I wanted. Half a taco, who does that?! It must’ve been all the sampling. Anyway, I assembled my half tortilla of taco, folded, then starred at the sweetest thing I’d ever laid eyes upon.
Like a puppy or caterpillar, I held my taco bite up, then paraded it around the kitchen, “Isn’t it adorable? Look at it from over here, have you ever…?
But then, with thoughts of our Tuesday night bocce ball league, admiration turned function. We each contribute and handheld easy to travel with is best; these bites would be perfect! But not only for bocce, for kids’ sports, parties, picnics, a day at the beach, the list is endless! And guess what, the ingredients are element proof. I tested for duration; they sit and still look pretty and taste ah-mazing.
Taco details. Each layer of this taco’s perfectly seasoned and complements the next. They may be small but pack a nutritious and filling punch.
They’re my new favorite and cat’s out, they made my favorite things list for the year.
What do you think about gathering these vibrant ingredients and coming with me…
Into the World of
Sweet Potato Black Bean Taco Bites
Season and roast your sweet potatoes until wanting to slap your own hand from sampling.
Boil black beans with garlic, spices, and broth, then mash and taste.
Scoop, then smash avocado into a bowl and mix with spices and squeeze of lime.
Roast corn or Trader Joe’s sells a fine bag of fire roasted frozen corn.
Slice some red onion, then chop or tear cilantro and spring greens or romaine lettuce.
Toast tortillas on the bbq, cooktop burners, or in the oven.
Assembly Suggestion
(for color combination and ease of fold and cut)
The black bean mash and avocado smash make for the greatest taco adhesive,
so add on opposing sides of the tortilla.
Sprinkle black bean mash with roasted corn.
Dot avocado smash with sweet potatoes.
Spring mix or romaine down the middle.
Cilantro atop bed of lettuce.
Red onions on both sides.
Hot sauce everywhere!
Then fold and hold tight in place, then cut with a serrated knife.
Add a toothpick on each side.
Pack and take them to join you in the fun,
or…
They’re a delight whole and for dinner home!
Sweet Potato Black Bean Taco Bites
Ingredients:
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- 1 sweet potato, large peeled and cut into ¼-½" cubes
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - or 2 cloves garlic, sliced
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Black Beans
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ancho chili sauce or peppers canned/chopped
- 4 garlic cloves sliced or minced
- 2 cans black beans drained and rinsed
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- 1 lime, juiced
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
Smashed Avocado
- 2 avocado ripe
- 2 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- lime squeeze
Roasted Corn
- 1 cup fire roasted corn fresh or store bought
Tortillas and Garnish
- 8 medium size tortillas grilled
- ½ - 1 cup red onion sliced
- ½ - 1 cup spring greens or romaine lettuce whole or chopped
- 1 cilantro bunch
- hot sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Add the sweet potatoes, oil, and seasonings and garlic (if using) to a medium-sized bowl and stir to coat.
- Spread the sweet potatoes across a large sheet pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, stirring halfway through. To crisp, broil the last minutes until browned.
- Meanwhile, peel and slice or mince garlic, then rinse and drain two cans of beans. Heat a small saucepan over medium heat, then add garlic and cumin and saute for 30 seconds. Add ancho sauce/peppers and stir for another 30 seconds, then add the two cans beans, salt, and vegetable broth. Reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes, while stirring every so often. Remove from heat and stir with a fork until the desired mashed/whole bean consistancy is reached. Add lime and season to taste.
- On the grill roast corn and husk or in a dry sauté pan over medium heat, add fire roasted corn and stir until cooked and set aside.
- Scoop the flesh of two avocados into a bowl and smash lightly with a fork. Add cumin, salt, and lime, then mix again. Season to taste.
Taco Bite Assembly
- Black beans on one side, then dot the sweet potatoes into the beans. Smashed avocado on the other side, then sprinkle roasted corn and red onion.Lettuce and cilantro through the middle, hot sauce everywhere.Fold, hold tight so the taco stays in form, and cut fast and in half with a serrated knife. Add a toothpick tight on opposing sides.
- Pack, take, and traverse with bite in hand!
Notes
- I keep a can of ancho chili peppers on hand and for an added kick, either use sauce, a pepper, or a combination of the two.
Nutrition
