Food blogger Bri Beaudoin of Evergreen Kitchen is known for recipes like this one: bright, healthy vegetarian dishes that pack the flavour and come together as quickly as possible. “This recipe brings together sweet, spicy, soft and crispy,” she writes in Evergreen Kitchen: Weeknight Vegetarian Dinners For Everyone. “Charred sweet potatoes get piled high with a tomato chili jam, roasted chickpeas, tangy feta cheese and a shower of fresh cilantro. There’s very little active cooking required: the oven does the roasting while the tomato chili jam simmers on the stovetop (mostly unattended). At the end, you get to swoop in, assemble these pretty bowls and dig in. If you’re feeling sassy, spike the tomato chili jam with a splash of bourbon.” To make the dish vegan, use vegan feta or omit entirely.
Recipe Tips
- This isn’t intended to be knock-your- head-off spicy. At ½ tsp, the spice is present but barely noticeable when eaten alongside all the other ingredients. For slightly more heat, go with ¾ teaspoon.
- Grocery store labelling sometimes mixes up sweet potatoes and yams. Look for thin reddish-brown skin and an orange interior.
- Don’t like cilantro? Use thinly sliced scallions instead.
Charred Sweet Potatoes With Tomato Chili Jam
Bri Beaudoin's recipe for vegetarian bowls with charred sweet potatoes, roasted chickpeas, feta and tomato-chili jam.
Ingredients
Tomato Chili Jam
- 1 28 oz (796 ml) can whole peeled tomatoes
- 4 garlic cloves finely grated
- ¼ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
- ¼ cup bourbon or whisky optional
- 1 tbsp tamari
- ½-¾ tsp red pepper flakes see note #1
Sweet Potatoes and Chickpeas
- 4 small sweet potatoes 2 lbs (907 g) total, sliced in half lengthwise (see note #2)
- 2 tbsp grapeseed oil divided
- ½ tsp fine sea salt divided
- 1 14 oz (398 ml) can chickpeas drained, rinsed and patted dry
For Serving
- cooked short-grain brown rice
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- fresh cilantro leaves see note #3
Instructions
- Place the oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 450°F (230°C). Set aside 2 large baking sheets.
- Pour the tomatoes and their juices into a medium saucepan. Use your hands to crush the tomatoes. Stir in the garlic, brown sugar, bourbon (if using), tamari and red pepper flakes and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reduces to a thick sauce, 35 to 40 minutes.
- Meanwhile, place the sweet potatoes on one of the baking sheets. Brush them with 1 tbsp of the grapeseed oil, ensuring the cut sides are generously oiled (to prevent sticking and encourage browning). Sprinkle the cut sides with ¼ tsp of the salt. Arrange the sweet potatoes cut side down on the baking sheet and roast on the lower rack until the flesh is deeply browned around the edges and fork-tender in the middle, 20 to 30 minutes.
- At the same time, scatter the chickpeas on the second baking sheet. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tbsp grapeseed oil and toss to coat. Sprinkle with the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt. Roast the chickpeas on the upper rack until crisp and golden brown, 20 to 30 minutes.
- Divide the rice among bowls. Top with the sweet potatoes, chickpeas, Tomato Chili Jam, feta and cilantro.
More weeknight dinner recipes from Evergreen Kitchen’s Bri Beaudoin
- Smashed Potatoes and Roasted Cauliflower BowlsBri Beaudoin's vegetarian bowls with smashed potatoes, roasted cauliflower and a fresh sauce of feta cheese, herbs and lemon.Get the recipe
- Barbecue Pulled Mushroom SandwichesBri Beaudoin's vegetarian version of a classic pulled pork sandwich, made with King Oyster mushrooms and plenty of slaw.Get the recipe
- Crispy Rice Salad with Smashed CucumbersThis delicious and easy meal salad recipe by Bri Beaudoin has crunchy toasted rice and plenty of fresh vegetables.Get the recipe
- Pea Fritters and Fries with Tartar SauceThe perfect spring snack food, courtesy of Bri Beaudoin.Get the recipe
- Cheesy Chipotle Quinoa BakeA cheesy comfort-food one-pot meal from Bri Beaudoin's Evergreen Kitchen.Get the recipe
- Spicy Miso Ramen SoupThe silky smooth broth in Bri Beaudoin's miso soup recipe gets its salty and spicy flavours from white miso and sambal oelek hot sauce.Get the recipe
- Firecracker Tofu With Broccolini and Chili Garlic OilThis ultra-healthy (and spicy) sheet-pan recipe from Bri Beaudoin's new Evergreen Kitchen cookbook is packed with tons of nutrition.Get the recipe
