Yesterday was “one of those days”. I woke up totally late, wore different colored socks, skipped breakfast, brushing my hair… and coffee (the horror!), and somehow managed to get through the entire morning without giving one snarl, snarky remark, or sassy answer. Gooooooo me!
It’s not that I generally have a bad attitude in the A.M. hours; I just have a deep hunger for sleep, and an even deeper hunger for food first thing in the morning.
MY RECENT VIDEOSI cannot be alone in this. Sleep and food are the building blocks of a happy woman… got that guys?
I did finally get to eat yesterday, and when I did, hoo-boy did I make up for lost time!
These quesadillas – with spicy roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, and wonderfully melted manchego cheese – are perfect for the girl on the go, the guy who doesn’t want to spend an arm and a leg for a good meal, or anyone who likes tasty, cheap eats.
You in?
Sriracha Sweet Potato and Black Bean Quesadilla – Baker by Nature
Makes 2 quesadillas
For the sweet potatoes:
1 large sweet potato, washed, peeled, and chopped into small chunks
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried cilantro
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon sriracha
Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F). Line a deep baking dish with parchment paper and set aside. In a medium sized bowl toss the potatoes together with all the other ingredients and then transfer potatoes into prepared baking dish, making sure they’re in a single layer. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered another 15 minutes. Remove pan from oven and lightly mash potatoes with a fork.
For the black beans:
(1) 14 oz can black beans
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon sriracha
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
Drain black beans and rinse well. In a large bowl mix all the ingredients together, then lightly mash the beans – not into a puree, but just slightly!
Putting it all together & other ingredients:
(4) 10″ tortillas
1 cup grated manchego cheese
butter for skillet (about 2 tablespoons)
sliced avocado (optional)
sriracha for drizzling (optional)
In a large skillet, melt about 1/2 tablespoon of butter over medium high heat. Cook all 4 tortillas until just lightly golden on both sides. Remove from heat.
Time to assemble your Quesadilla! Melt another 1/2 tablespoon or so of butter in your skillet. Place one tortilla on the pan, then 1/4 cup of cheese, half of the sweet potatoes, half of the black bean mix, and then another 1/4 cup cheese and then add second tortilla. Cook on both sides, adding additional butter as needed so the tortilla won’t dry out. Repeat for the other quesadilla. Top with sliced avocado, sour cream, or anything that tickles your fancy.
Have I mentioned how much I absolutely adore you?!! Seriously…how have I been blogging for so long without having crossed paths with you?
Okay, now that that’s out of the way…I LOVE these yummy quesadillas! I think our tastes run very similar because I drool over everything you post. Plus I’m a sriracha fiend.
And I’m also someone who really needs my sleep. My husband can get by with four hours…I need more like 8-10 or I’m a wreck.
xoxoxo!!
This comment gave me the biggest grin! You’re such a sweetheart, Kristy – drinks soon!!!
Did you say Sriracha? I am in! These sound fantastic!
I did, indeed 😉
These quesadillas sound amazing! Black bean and sweet potato is classic, and who doesn’t want an excuse to get more sriracha into their diet? 🙂
I’m not sure I could skip coffee!! That’s an essential! But I guess it meant you were definitely running late if you skipped it, i bet these sriracha sweet potato quesadillas would’ve done well to wake you up on your lunch break! they sound and look fab!
I made up for it with about 75 cups at lunch, haha.
Ok, the whole first part of this post sounds like a pretty typical work day for me, except the coffee. I have to have the coffee. I’ll be even later for work if I have to, I can’t go without coffee!
Wowza, those quesadillas are packed full! They look delicious.
Healthy + Spicy? I love it 110%!
MMMMM!! Manchego is so underrate and sweet potato and black beans are the perfect combo.. Plus hot sauce duh. Hope you got that coffee too!?!? Im highly unpleasant until caffinated.
Everything about these screams awesome. What a fantastic dish with incredibly delicious ingredients!
This is so creative! I love it. I wonder if I could get Mike to eat this. He generally hates sweet potatoes. I on the other hand LOVE them and would have no trouble eating all of this myself. 🙂
I’m not always a fan of the sweet potato myself, but roasted with spices makes me a believer! Maybe it’ll work for Mike, too!
You had me at Sriracha! Sorry about the start of your day but it seems like it was all made up with this amazingness here!
Totally did 😉
I made these for lunch today and they were so so amazing. I love Mexican food but this was even better than usual! Great recipe 🙂
You made these today?! That’s seriously awesome!
Ashley, these have got to be the most stunning quesadillas I have ever seen. Not only am I in love with each and every ingredient, but your photography is breathtaking – I mean, you make a quesadilla jump off the screen. That avocado slice on top? brings so much gorgeous color… and not to mention, creamy contrast to the crispy queasadilla. i’m in love with avocados. 🙂 And sweet taters! And Sriracha! 🙂
Ashley, sweet potato black bean quesadillas (a cinnamon-chipotle version) are a staple in our apartment. WHY have I never added sriracha or avocado!? Love this idea! Your recipe will be a fresh twist on our usual mix.
Great way to work in beans – with sweet taters and sriracha, my faves! And avocado!
I am so with you – no food & no sleep make me so grumpy. Love the flavour in these and that kick of sriracha!
I am a complete terror when I wake up and have no food. That is why I always have a breakfast bar in my purse. However, it is not nearly as satisfying as these quesadilla! They look so good.
I love the sriracha sweet potato combo! Brilliant.
My jaw is on the floor. I love this!!
yummmmmmm. droolin over here! xO!
http://www.thehautecookie.com
This quesadilla is out. of. this. world, missy! What a wonderful flavor combination. I’m kinda sorta weak at the knees now.
This is seriously my dream quesadilla. I absolutely love sweet potatoes AND black beans AND sriracha! But I’m not sure I’ve ever had them all together before! You = my new hero.
Just sweet potatoes and black beans on a quesadilla always sounded just a tad boring to me, though hearty … adding Sriracha is a stroke of pure brilliance! These look awesome.
I’m tired and I haven’t had coffee (I can relate to your post). I think this comment starts off sounding a little insulting. Whoops. What I mean to say is I’ve thought of sweet potatoes and black beans on a quesadilla before but never went there because it didn’t sound quite right. NOW I want to go there (face first!) because these are brilliant.
All compliments!
Now time for coffee.
Bad idea to see this when I’m hungry… Need these in my life immediately!
ah your just missing the avacado and sour cream :OOO