Leftover Sweet Potato and Black Bean Stew

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp of your favorite vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 sweet potatoes unpeeled, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 2 tsp sea salt, divided in half
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 4 c low-salt vegetable broth
• 3 green onions, chopped for garnish
• 2 15 oz cans of black beans or pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes with liquid

Instructions

1. Put a heavy bottomed large saucepan on medium heat. Add the oil, then place onions in the pan, and sautée for several minutes, stirring frequently.
2. When onions start turning color to light brown, add 1 tsp salt. If your onions start sticking add a Tbsp of water. Continue stirring for several minutes and onions will start to sweat. At this point add garlic and sautée for another minute.
3. Stir in chopped red bell pepper, sweet potato, remaining 1 tsp sea salt, oregano, cumin, chili powder, and black pepper.
4. After stirring for a couple of minutes, add 4 c of vegetable broth and your can of diced tomatoes with the liquid. Keep the heat on medium until stew is simmering for approximately 10 minutes. Check the sweet potato for doneness by placing the sharp tip of a knife or fork into a piece of sweet potato. You should be able to pierce the middle of the sweet potato piece easily. If not, simmer it a bit longer.
5. Add 3 c of cooked or canned beans and cook on medium heat for an additional 5 minutes.
6. Serve your black bean soup with chopped green onion or parsley on top. Can be served alongside bread or with rice, if you like.

Recipe Notes and Variations

• This sweet potato stew packs a nutritional punch and is something you can make in bulk on a Saturday or a Sunday. Feel free to add any additional prepared vegetables you have, to the stew.
• If you are not in a hurry, you can cook the beans on the stovetop after soaking them overnight, or in a pressure cooker. Alternatively, you can use canned beans to save time. Do what works best for you!
• Any leftover beans can be frozen or used to make this Clean-Out-Your-Fridge Vegetarian Chili, or Roasted Vegetable Nachos.