Sweet Potato Enchiladas

Not only are sweet potatoes really good for you, they are also super delicious and a baby favorite!  The diced sweet potatoes are great for babies learning how to pick up food and feed themselves.  It's a little messy, but hey, babies just are messy and they think it's fun!  There are so many things you can do to this recipe, but I will share my version, and you can go from there!  Some suggestions would be to add drained and rinsed black beans, maybe some diced bell pepper, a little cayenne for heat, etc...  I do think it is important to make your own enchilada sauce so you know exactly what is going in it, and the recipe is so easy, you can always make extra and freeze some for later!  Here is a new twist on a Mexican night favorite!

Enchilada Sauce:
1/4 cup chili powder
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp flour
1 15 oz can tomato sauce (no salt added if you can find it, if not, then do not add any more salt)
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp salt (or more to taste, but remove some sauce for baby before adding more salt)

In a saucepan, heat to medium and add chili powder, olive oil, and flour.  Stir to combine and cook for about a minute.  Whisk in tomato sauce, water, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low and let simmer for 10 minutes so flavors can meld and sauce thickens a little.

Enchiladas:
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 onion diced
1 large clove of garlic chopped
2 sweet potatoes diced (small dices)
1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/4 cup fresh cilantro loosely packed, then chopped and divided
salt to taste after baby's portion removed
8 - 10 corn tortilla
1 1/2 cup shredded monterey jack cheese

In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil, onion, garlic, sweet potato, and pepper and saute until softened and sweet potatoes have a little color (10 - 12 minutes).  Add half the cilantro at the end and stir to combine.

For babies meal, take some sweet potato mix (maybe 3 tbsp) and pour a little sauce over (or no sauce if giving as finger food).  Sprinkle with a little cheese.  If baby is still eating softer food (not ready for cubed food), you can always mush with a fork.

To build enchiladas, this gets messy, but is fun to do with the kids!  Spray a little non-stick spray or lightly oil a 9 x 11 casserole dish and preheat oven to 400 degrees. Take a corn tortilla and dunk it in the enchilada sauce.  Take a few tablespoons of the sweet potato mix and place in middle of tortilla (like you were filling a taco).  Fold tortilla over filling, and place seam side down in casserole dish.  Don't worry f they fall apart a little or break some.  It will not be perfect, but tastes great!  Once all tortillas are filled, top enchiladas with the rest of the sauce.  The sprinkle cheese over the top.  Place in preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.  Once out of the oven, top with remaining cilantro.  Serves 4.  Some suggested garnishes:  dices tomato, sour cream, hot sauce, pickled jalapeno, or whatever else tickles your fancy!

Completed Enchiladas

Baby's portion

Baby's portion mushed for easier eating.