Black Bean and Sweet Potato Quesadillas

The Uptown Farmer's Market has an amazing taco cart. And a falafel cart. And a hippie bus with fantastic hotdogs. And the best chai tea this side of India. Anyway, back to the taco cart. This fall they had a black bean and sweet potato soft taco that was out of this world. I bring you a semi-copycat. I'm always a bit hesitant to give out favorite recipes because I'm afraid you'll make a substitution that's not okay and then not like the recipe...follow? You need to a)make homemade tortillas or b)buy fresh that you cook at home. The ones that come prepackaged with an ingredient list longer than your arm...not okay.

Black Bean and Sweet Potato Quesadillas

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

1 teaspoon dried or 1 tablespoon fresh oregano

1 teaspoon ground cumin

tortillas

1 1/2 cups mashed, cooked sweet potatoes

1 cup shredded monterey jack

1 1/2 cups tightly packed spinach leaves

*cook onion and garlic in oil. stir in beans, lime juice, oregano and cumin. heat through. cook tortillas. fill with onions/beans, potatoes, cheese, spinach. wrap in foil and toss in a hot oven until cheese is melted. or, grill 'em.

Baked Oatmeal

This is a favorite in our house. I assemble it the night before and pop it in the oven in the morning. The additions are endless...a recent favorite was blueberry/banana/walnut.

3.5 cups oats

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 cups milk

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup applesauce OR mashed banana

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

chopped nuts and dried fruits as desired

*combine all and pour into a greased 9 x 13 pan. bake at 375 for 35 minutes.

Overnight Oatmeal Pancakes

Molly Wizenberg's Oatmeal Pancakes *slightly adapted*

2 cups oats

2 cups buttermilk

1/2 cup flour

*mix well and soak overnight. add the following:

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

4-8 tablespoons butter, melted

2 eggs

*mix well and griddle away!