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–+ servings

Sweet Potato Beans

4.80 | 5 reviews
These spicy-sweet sweet potato beans are my dream beans. They use unexpected ingredients like kalamata olives (delicious), calabrian chili, and, of course, sweet potato to turn the unexpectedly humble canned bean into something delicious.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2-3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, sliced
  • 4 garlic cloves, grated
  • 1 & 1/2 tablespoons Calabrian chili paste
  • 2/3 cup kalamata olives, finely chopped
  • 1 (15.5 oz) can Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2/3 cup (5oz) cooked sweet potato, peeled
  • 2 cups water, plus more as needed
  • Diamond Crystal kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 lemon, for juicing
  • 3 cups spinach
  • 1/4 cup fresh oregano, for serving
  • 1 ounce freshly grated parmesan, for serving

Instructions 

  1. Place high-sided sauté pan over medium heat and add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the sliced yellow onion and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the onion starts to become soft and translucent.
  2. Add in 4 grated garlic cloves and 1 1/2 tablespoons of chili paste and stir. Cook for another 2 minutes to let the garlic cook down. Add in 2/3 cup of kalamata olives and stir, cooking another minute.
  3. Add the drained beans and stir to combine.
  4. In a blender, blend 2/3 cup of cooked sweet potato and 2 cups of water until completely smooth. Pour this over the beans and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and the flavors have melded. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding the juice from 1 lemon, if desired.
  6. Add 3 cups of spinach and stir until just wilted, about 30 seconds.
  7. Remove the beans from the heat and top with 1/4 cup of oregano and 1 ounce of freshly grated parmesan. Serve warm with rice or crusty bread.
Serving: 1.5 cupsCalories: 317kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 11gFat: 13g