MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — According to USA Health’s Integrative Health and Wellness website, “food is medicine,” but creating that medicine requires cooking and good recipes.
Dr. Robert Israel, an internal medicine physician with USA Health, appeared on WKRG News 5 to share one of these recipes and talk about the upcoming series of cooking classes.
Dr. Israel shared her recipe for sweet potatoes with black beans and cheese on WKRG News the 4 on 5, adapted from a recipe by NYT Cooking and Sarah Jampel.
Black Bean and Cheesy Sweet Potato Recipe
Serves 4 in about 50 minutes
material:
- 2 medium sized sweet potatoes, washed and cut in half lengthwise
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt (optional)
- 1 cup black beans (cooked or 15 oz can) – this depends entirely on what’s in your fridge or pantry
- 1/2 to 1 onion (julienned or diced)
- 2 tablespoons harissa (or more or less depending on how spicy you like it)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or other firm sharp cheese
- Black pepper
direction:
1. Preheat oven to 425° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Brush the halved potatoes with olive oil and place them cut side down in the frying pan.
3. Roast for 30-40 minutes until done.
4. Remove from oven, invert and leave to cool.
5. Using a fork, roughly flatten the potato flesh and add salt and pepper.
6. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.
7. Meanwhile, lightly fry the onion until translucent. Add the rinsed beans and harissa and fry for a further 3-5 minutes.
8. Spread about half the cheese over the potatoes, alternating layers of beans and cheese.
9. Return to oven and bake for 5-10 minutes until cheese is melted.
Dr. Israel says her sweet potato with black beans and cheese recipe can be used as a side dish or a main dish, and there are many variations to consider.
“Make it a main dish with slices of avocado, eggs, shredded chicken, parsley, coriander, other herbs, and even a bit of citrus,” says Dr. Israel. “Pair it with other vegetables for a vegetarian dish, or serve it as a side dish to a salad or fish.”
cooking class
To find healthier recipes, Dr. Israel recommends signing up for a class with USA Health, which is offered at two USA Health campuses: Mapp Family Campus and University Commons.
Classes offered include:
- USA Health Map Family Campus
- July 9th, 10:00am-11:30am
- July 19th, 2pm-3:30pm (Adults and children ages 6 and up)
- July 23, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
- August 2nd, 10:00am-11:30am
- August 16th, 10:00am-11:30am
- USA Health University Commons
- June 18th, 5pm-6:30pm
- July 17th, 5pm-6:30pm
- July 31st, 12pm-1:30pm
- August 6th, 5pm-6:30pm
- August 15th, 5pm-6:30pm
To sign up for classes, visit the USA Health website.
