Sweet Potato Foil Packet Tacos

My new recipe for the week is Sweet Potato Foil Packet Tacos, an interesting combination of taco meat, sweet potatoes, spinach, and beans.  I was having a difficult time wrapping my mind around that flavor combination, but when I took the first bite, it was better than I expected.  I ate my packet with just the addition of salsa, but Joel put his into flour tortillas and loved it.  I think it would also be good on a bed of tortilla chips.  

Note:  The recipe only calls for 1/2 pound of ground beef, but I increased it to a full pound and used one package of taco seasoning and an 8 oz. can of tomato sauce.  I think this recipe will be great on the grill this summer, too!

Ingredients:

1/2 pound ground beef or turkey
2 T. taco seasoning
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 can (15 oz.) black, kidney, or pinto beans, rinsed and drained
6 cups sweet potatoes (about 2 very large), peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
2 T. butter
1/2 t. salt
1 1/2 cup chopped fresh spinach
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
sour cream, guacamole, and/or salsa for garnish

Instructions:

Preheat over to 425 degrees.  Brown ground meat in a skillet over medium-high heat.  Stir in taco seasoning, tomato sauce, and beans.  Set aside.

To assemble packets, spray the foil with non-stick spray.  Place 1 cup sweet potato cubes in the center of each piece.  Top with a small piece of butter (about 1 teaspoon) and a pinch or two of salt.  Sprinkle some chopped spinach over the sweet potatoes, followed by about 1/3 cup of taco meat and a sprinkle of cheese.  Fold the sides in, then bring the top and bottom ends of the foil together in the center and fold, sealing the packet.  Repeat with remaining ingredients, placing the packets on a rimmed cookie sheet.  Bake for 25 - 30 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are tender.  

Serve with sour cream, salsa, and/or guacamole.  Fresh cilantro would also be great on these.  Makes 6 servings.