Sweet Potato Cilantro Tacos - Gluten Free

Taco night happens on the regular in our house and I love enjoying a real deal tortilla-style taco just as much as anyone.  In fact, I think tortillas might be one of the most delicious things I have ever tasted.  Not exactly low-carb, new year diet friendly though.  For the most part, I try to avoid gluten and processed grains like bread, pasta and tortillas but my kids enjoy them more frequently than I'd like to admit.

So I decided on a whim to bake up some sweet potatoes, scoop out the centers, and make my taco with one of these guys and call it a day.  

I'm so glad I did too, because it was so delicious and satisfying (and guilt free) that I don't think I'll be going back to the norm anytime soon. 

I used a scoop of sugar free plain organic yogurt, some cilantro and all the yummy taco toppings to make it even better.  They would be great with a huge scoop of guacamole or some melted cheese too!

Sweet potatoes are so versatile!  You can add them in as a substitute for any meal in my book, really!  Sweet potato pizzas are one of my favorite gluten-free dinners.  

Not only are they versatile, they are just the right amount of sweet for kicking sugar cravings to the curb AND they are full of vitamins and nutrients!  If I am really craving carbs and sugar, I like to bake a sweet potato and serve it with grass-fed butter and agave.  It really does work like a charm.

Here are some reasons why sweet potatoes are awesome:

• they are packed with vitamin A, C, manganese and several other vitamins and minerals

• good substitute for breads + processed grains

• great for kicking a sugar craving to the curb

• high in fiber

• high in beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant

• help stabilize blood sugar + low glycemic index

• high vitamin A levels help to boost immunity and strengthen the eyes

So, try it out!  Swap out bread for a sweet potato in any of your favorite dishes and see what happens! Disclaimer: I haven't tried these with the kids yet, but maybe in the future!  Since they aren't really trying to cut back on the calories (hello daily growth spurts!) I don't really have an issue with giving them an occasional organic grain.

Here's how I made these Sweet Potato Cilantro Tacos: 

Time: 45-60 mins
Serves: Serves 4-5

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 organic sweet potatoes

• 1 lb organic grass-fed ground beef

• trader joe's taco seasoning (I use half the packet to cut down on sodium)

• 1 medium yellow onion, diced finely

• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro

• 1/2 cup full fat organic greek yogurt (optional for dairy free)

• 1 can diced olives

• 1/2 cup sliced tomatoes for topping

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Bake sweet potatoes by wrapping them in foil and placing them in the oven at 400 degrees for 45-60 minutes.

2. Cut the potatoes in half and scoop out centers. Place them on a baking sheet for later.

3. Begin taco meat.  Add olive oil in pan over medium high heat and add finely diced onion for 5-6 minutes or until they soften.

4. Add ground beef and mix with onion, stirring and chopping as it cooks. 

5. Add 1/2 packet of taco seasoning and combine well until meat is cooked.

6. When ready, mix sweet potato (that had been scooped out) with taco meat and add a generous portion of the mixture to the center of the sweet potatoes.  Place back in the oven on 350 degrees to heat up for 5-10 minutes.