Sweet Potatoes with Black Bean Chili and Cilantro-Lime Slaw is a tasty and satisfying all-in-one MIND Diet or Meatless Monday meal. The chili is light enough to eat year-round, but filling enough for the coldest months as well. Starting the sweet potatoes in the microwave and then prepping the chili and slaw while the sweet potatoes cook helps to save time. You can save even more time by substituting frozen roasted sweet potato chunks for the baked sweet potatoes if you’re in a hurry.

I love a simple lime slaw for adding crunch, acidity, color, and nutrition to a dish. Using a premade coleslaw mix makes it so easy to get dinner on the table, but feel free to slice up some cabbage if you prefer.

Let’s take a look at some of the brain-health benefits of Sweet Potatoes with Black Bean Chili and Cilantro-Lime Slaw:

• Sweet potatoes are a good source of potassium, which was shown to improve cognition in an animal study, and was also associated with less tau protein formation in the brain (a contributing factor to developing dementia)
• The chipotle peppers, chili powder, and green chiles get their heat from capsaicin, which helps reduce inflammation (a risk factor for Alzheimer’s) and supports a healthy gut microbiome
• Cabbage contains compounds called sulforaphanes, which help produce brain-derived neurotrophic factor. BDNF is a substance that helps protect and repair brain cells.
• Black beans contain anti-inflammatory anthocyanins thanks to their beautiful dark color. In general, beans are high in fiber and B vitamins, which are very important nutrients for the nervous system and brain. This is easy to remember: Beans = B vitamins = Brain health. (If you have trouble remembering that, try eating more beans!)

Give this colorful, brain-healthy, meatless meal a try, and let me know what you think in the comments. Happy MIND Diet eating!

Sweet Potatoes with Black Bean Chili & Cilantro-Lime Slaw

Sweet Potatoes with Black Bean Chili & Cilantro-Lime Slaw is a tasty and satisfying all-in-one MIND Diet or Meatless Monday meal.

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Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Main Course

Cuisine Southwestern

Servings 4

Notes

Make this a 30-minute meal by substituting frozen roasted sweet potatoes chunks for the baked sweet potatoes. Cook frozen sweet potatoes according to package directions, then top with chili and slaw.

Ingredients

  

Ingredients:

• 4 medium sweet potatoes
• 1/2 red onion
• 1/2 cup cilantro
• 1 lime
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tablespoon chipotle chile in adobo sauce use less for less heat
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 8 ounces coleslaw mix
• Kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 1 15- oz can low-sodium black beans undrained
• 1 14.5- oz can diced tomatoes and green chiles drained

Instructions

 

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 425 °F. While oven is heating, prick sweet potatoes all over with a fork. Microwave potatoes for 3 minutes. Carefully rotate potatoes. Repeat 2 more times, for 9 minutes total.
• While potatoes are in microwave, chop the red onion and cilantro. Cut the lime in half. Dice the garlic and chipotle chile; combine with chili powder and oregano in small bowl.
• When potatoes are done microwaving, place on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Roast until tender, about 30-40 minutes. Let cool about 10 minutes.
• While potatoes are baking, place the coleslaw mix in a small bowl. Add the juice from 1 lime half and the cilantro. Season with a pinch of salt. Mix well and set aside.
• Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium. Add onion and cook until softened, stirring occasionally, about 3-5 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, oregano, and chipotle chile; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds, and stir. Add beans with liquid, tomatoes, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Bring chili to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until thickened, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and add juice from remaining lime half.
• Halve sweet potatoes lengthwise. Fluff with a fork, lightly sprinkle with salt, and fill with chili. Top with slaw and serve.

Keyword 30 minute meal, Black beans, Cabbage, Chili, Chipotle, Lime, Meatless, Slaw, Sulforaphanes, Sweet potatoes, Vegan, Vegetarian