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05-19-2012

Loving some fun spices!

So after eating at my favorite restaurant at Urbanpl8, I realized how adding sweet potatoes to basically anything can be really satisfying. They have a dish called Grilled Chicken Tagine with Harissa that I absolutely love! It’s grilled chicken with roasted sweet potatoes, onions, zuchinni and some other yummy veggies.  Anway I don’t even know exactly what Harissa or Tagine is, but I know it’s amazing and that I could eat that every day!

So of course, I wanted to figure out how to make it. Turns out, from what I could research, there were just too many ingredients and would be too time consuming for me to make. As I always say, if it’s not quick and easy, chances are good I won’t make it. With that said, I’ve been craving something with a bunch of good protein, some chunks of sweet potato and some fun spices. I’ve never made anything with these spices together but ended up LOVING it. It’s very different from what I typically make. It really awakens the taste buds!

I was a little worried that the kids wouldn’t like it because there were so many different flavors, but everyone ate it and loved it. Yes!!

So, I call this creation that I’m so proud of, Morrocan Mash…

Here’s what you need:

  • 2 lbs ground meat (I used 1 lb chicken, 1 lb grass fed beef)
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 2 tbsp dried cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp celtic sea salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground ginger or ginger powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp turmeric
If you add any extra veggies, be sure to add more than just 1 tsp of the spices!

Cut your sweet potatoes into bit sized chunks and set aside. Heat up pan and add 2 tbsp coconut oil and sautee sweet potatoes. Let them get brown and then turn on low and cook until soft. If you can cover the pan, it will only take about 5 minutes since you’re steaming it. If you don’t have a lid, it take about 15 minutes to cook.  Put cooked potatoes in a bowl and set aside.
In the same large pan, brown the 2 lbs of meat. Once brown, add the potatoes, spices and EVOO, stir. Now just let it all cook on low until done.  That’s it! Enjoy!

By the way, those looking for a lower carb version, you can use butternut squash instead of sweet potatoes as it actually has half the carbs of potatoes.  The second time I cooked it (yes, this week) I added a bunch of butternut squash (see picture above) I have to say, I really liked using both the butternut squash and sweet potatoes. I also just used turkey and chicken (because that was what was in my fridge) but turns out, I do prefer it with at least some ground beef.  If you use 2 lbs of white meat, just be sure to add in an extra tbsp of evoo, but keep in mind the turkey is harder to break up.

I think this would be great with some raw crushed cashews too. Let me know what y’all think!

Oh, and a quick tip on the cauliflower pizza. I think I got better at wringing out the crust, but also, once it was done and out of the oven, instead of letting it condensate on the cookie sheet and parchment paper, I put the crust by itself on the wire rack in the stove, with the stove off.  When we got home from swim team 2 hours later, it dried crispier and well…one cauliflower was just not enough for our family!
And last tip for the day (I promise), if you need a GREAT and cheap chew toy for a pupp -  try a sweet potato!
Happy weekend!

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landriav - Oh yay!! So glad you loved it!! I was addicted to it for awhile. :) Thanks for letting me know Shane. So nice to hear! :)

Shane Jones - Made this last night with just chicken. Couldn’t find ground chicken so I just cut two breasts into small pieces. It was AWESOME!! It has been added to our regular rotation of favorites.

Thanks

landriav - Hey Staci! Sorry it was a little salt. I tend to love salt so might go a little heavier on that side. Hope it turns out better next time!! Thanks for commenting. It’s helpful to let everyone know other people’s thoughts.

staci - Tasty, but very salty, I might have needed bigger sweet potatoes to balance it out, will try again. :)

landriav - I’m SO happy to hear that Laurel! I was seriously addicted to this recipe for awhile. Taking a break now, but it’s one of my favorites. So glad your family is enjoying it so much!!

Laurel - This is by far our favorite dish! My normally picky husband has been requesting it, and my son gobbles it up!! Who would have known?! ;)

landriav - I’m so glad you like it Rachael! Sounds like you like it as much as I do. I need to make it again soon after reading your post. Thanks for posting!!

Rachael - I have made this several times now. Thank you, it is very flavourful, satisfying and easy to make as a last minute meal.

Primal Journal (Judg) - Page 38 | Mark's Daily Apple Health and Fitness Forum page 38 - [...] LOL! And at the same time, it makes it easier for me too. It's a win-win strategy. I tried the Morrocan Mash that Lex is so fond of. It was good, but I would definitely use both the squash and the sweet [...]

landriav - Thanks Carrie!! It is so yummy! I hope you like it!!!

Carrie - This looks like just my kind of supper. I love meals that are all in one dish like this. Plus that spice combination sounds awesome!

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