**WHAT'S COOKING WEDNESDAY** 

Slimmed-Down Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potatoes are actually one of the few approved carbohydrates for the paleo diet. (YOU CAN STILL JOIN MY PALEO CHALLENGE GROUP!)  So making a slimmed down sweet potato casserole can actually have several positive nutrients for your body! This recipe rocks because:

-There's no butter! (You use spices to add flavor without fat and use cooking spray to coat the casserole dish)
-The topping is full of nutty, cinnnamon-y goodness! (You won't miss the marshmallows which are not good for you)
-There's way less sugar than normal (Sweet potatoes are already really sweet, so use just a tiny bit of honey or brown sugar and vanilla to amp up the natural sweetness. The casserole doesn't need to taste like dessert! It is a side after all.)
-The end result clocks in at just 101 calories, 2.5 grams of fat (almost none of it is saturated), and 7.2 grams of sugar per serving. Now that's something to be grateful for.

Slimmed-Down Sweet Potato Casserole
Makes 12 servings

3.5 lbs sweet potatoes (about 5 medium), peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
2 Tbsp honey
1/4 cup golden raisins
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon (divided)
1 Tbsp packed brown sugar
1/3 cup chopped pecans

1. Cover potatoes with water, and boil in a large pot until soft when pierced with a fork. Drain, and return to the pot.

2. Preheat oven to 400° F. Spray a baking dish with cooking spray.

3. Mash the sweet potatoes, then add the honey, raisins, nutmeg, ginger, salt, and a 1/2 tsp of cinnamon. Whip with an electric mixer or an immersion blender until smooth (if you don't have one, you can do this step by hand—it'll just take a little muscle!). Spread the sweet potato mixture in the prepared baking dish.

4. Mix the brown sugar, pecans, and remaining 1/2 tsp cinnamon in a bowl; sprinkle over the potatoes. Bake until hot and beginning to brown around the edges, about 15-20 minutes.


Per serving (1/12th of casserole): 101 cal; 2.5 g fat (0.3 g saturated); 19.8 carbs; 7.2 g sugar; 106.9 mg sodium; 2 g fiber; 1.3 g protein

Enjoy!