As I mentioned in a previous post, my roommate Emily gave up meat for Lent and we’ve been taking turns cooking for each other once or twice a week.
I get a lot of requests to show examples of actual meals I eat (as opposed to just the desserts); therefore I thought I’d post about our dinner last night.
For more examples of how I eat, see: My Non-Dessert Recipes.
Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie?
I initially wanted to make a real shepherd’s pie, topping my Bread-Free Vegan Stuffing recipe with mashed sweet potato and then baking. But life got busy, and there was no time for the extra baking step. So I settled on a “deconstructed” shepherd’s pie. It was so absolutely delicious that now I don’t think I’ll ever bother trying the longer version!
(Unpictured, I also had Ezekiel toast and a larger serving of the lentil filling.)
Sleepy Sweet Potatoes
(deconstructed Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie)
- 1 medium onion, sliced (175g)
- 1-2 cups spinach (I used 60g)
- 2-4 carrots, cut into coins (I used 140g, but feel free to use more)
- 1/2 can diced tomatoes
- Optional: 1 zucchini, cut in coins (I used 280g, but I steamed 1/2 separately and mixed them in later.)
- 1 stalk celery, cut into coins (I used 65g)
- 1/2 cup to 1 cup cooked lentils, drained and mashed (I used 110g Westbrae)
- 1 1/2 tsp dry basil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup water
- 1-2 tbsp olive oil (You can omit this, but you’ll lose the yummy, buttery taste!)
Heat oil, then add carrots, zucchini, onion, and celery. Cook a few minutes (like 10), then add spinach, lentils, spices, and tomato. Cook 2 more minutes. Add the water, bring to a boil, then cover and lower to simmer for 45-50 minutes, or until the carrots are soft and stuffing is flavorful. Without the optional ingredients, this makes around 3 cups, or around 2 servings. Serve with rice, polenta, or roasted potatoes or yams.
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says
Those do look mighty yummy! ….I used to sleep through everything but now I’m not sleeping through as much, small things wake me up. Bummer!
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
I like sleeping with other sounds going on – TV, radio, or even rain on the skylights. 🙂
Full-Flavored Life says
same here!!
Yellow Haired Girl says
Wow! This looks awesome. The app I use on my phone plays a song for my alarm sound (that I choose from iTunes) … but I’ve learned the hard way that once the song plays through once, it doesn’t play again. Who woulda thought that Joan Jett would be so easy to sleep through? I’ve woken up an hour late more than once!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
You need my sister’s old alarm clock! It was a rock-and-roll chicken… complete with an electric guitar. Seriously, I don’t think anyone could sleep through that ;).
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
YUM! these look great! i love sweet potatoes and shepherd’s pie, so i love this little combo of the two you have going on here! a few nights ago there was a crazy rain storm here that woke me up and left me with only 4-5 hours of sleep too. no fun!
clare @ fittingitallin says
looks so good!
I am the lightest sleeper EVER. I get up at least 3 times, even if I take sleeping meds. I have to have complete silence and darkness!
Ali @ Peaches and Football says
I’m a light sleeper only when my brain can’t determine a ‘usual’ or ‘safe’ sound – if that makes sense. If I know it’s raining, I can sleep through rain. If I’m not expecting it though, then it wakes me up and I fixate and can’t get back to sleep.
It’s been super warm here lately and the wind blows right across my bed at night (but it’s COLD air) so I end up shutting the window. Plus the varied sounds from the parking lot and people talking keep me awake. I know some people that can sleep through alarms but I’ve never been like that either!
Samantha says
Gosh I love sweet potatoes…all the time.
Anyway, very light sleeper here. Some nights I just give up for awhile. It is terrible. I have always been a rotten sleeper. My body will no longer sleep in either regardless of how late I was up the night before.
Susie says
That is one beau-ti-ful looking sweet potato!
I sleep through absolutely anything — thunderstorms, passing trains, people yelling in my ear. I can also sleep practically any*where*, too. I’ve always considered it a great talent 😀
Sarahishealthy says
Me too! The best is being able to fall asleep on airplanes :).
Suzie says
Yum! I just absolutely love yams– I mean I think they are truly my favorite food! I would eat one everyday if I could… I will have to try the savory stuffed version as I always opt for the sweet route (warm marshmallows over some oats, its like Thanksgiving every week!) Thanks for the recipe, plus I have been meaning to try that stuffing, looks delicious.
Stephanie @ Legally Blinde says
My little sister sounds like yours – she can really sleep through anything. Including when our house alarm used to go off because a sliding door would shift a little during the night! My mom used to have to ask her questions in the morning before school to see if she was actually awake – one time she asked her what she was wearing, and my sister said a bathing suit (my mom was wearing a nightgown, not a bathing suit, haha) – not awake yet!
Sarahishealthy says
Haha I used to sometimes *think* I was awake. I would imagine myself getting dressed. And then by the time I realized I was still dreaming, I’d be late for school!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
That looks delicious! I always have a few roasted sweet potatoes in the fridge for a quick snack.
I sleep like a rock. There is an ap called Sleep cycle for iPhone where you can track how deep in sleep you are. Based on the reports, I think at certain times in the night I may not even be breathing!
Faith says
Mmmmm…I LOVE sweet potatoes 🙂 I don’t know why I never thought to top them with something similar. Can’t wait to try!
Marcella says
It looks Cute! And tasty!
Sarah says
Yea I sleep like a lot. I’ve slept through an earthquake, too! Well, I woke up.. thought I was dreaming, and then went back to sleep. Regardless this looks delicious. I love sweet potato dinners and need more recipes!
Sarah the official CCK drooler-we pick Rick says
LOL!!! that’s hilarious. I was just about to say that i could sleep through an earthquake myself 🙂
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
This sounds lovely! 4 hours of sleep is NOT enough girl! Hope you get more this week.
Sarah S. says
not that I’m a ray of sunshine, but it seems like I get only four hours way too often. Can’t really get used to it, but that’s a busy life for ya! This looks supersuper delicious, thanks for sharing!
Kate @ The Little Spoo Blog says
I used to be able I sleep though anything. Now random things wake me up. I’ve slept trough fire alarms, lightening hitting a tree in our backyard and people walking in and out of my room. My sister totally took advantage of that when we’re growing up. She’d get up in the morning and sneak in my room to steal clothes from me and I would have NO idea. It used to make me so angry!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
I am such a light sleeper, I will wake up to just about anything! I envy those who sleep like a rock!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Pepper says
In my younger years I was a heavy sleeper, but now I am such a light sleeper, and I don’t know why? I can hear everythign in my sleep even if I don’t offically wake up. It’s so annoying! Going to check out the sweet potato recipe!!
Kristal says
This looks like a great lunch as I don’t think my kids would eat it cause they are weird still.
I sleep through most everything except my kids waking. Well, I have never woken to my son sleep walking, which makes me nervous, but anything else to do with them I wake up. I NEVER hear my husband’s alarm, but always here mine… how weird is that? I think living in a major city for collage with at least 5 fire departments close to my house made me like that.
Sarahishealthy says
Chiming in for Katie! It says how much it makes on the actual recipe post :).
Sarahishealthy says
Oops, wrong post! Ignore me!
Mary says
That looks super yummy!
Annie @ Naturally Sweet Recipes says
Delish! It looks super easy too. What a great dinner!
Sally @ sallys baking addiction says
i’m definitely a light sleeper Katie! While I adore your dessert recipes, it’s always great to see your non-dessert recipes. This one is a keeper! PS: I made your Single Serve Blueberry Muffin and posted it this morning. I used chocolate chips, and it was obviously insanely delicious. Thanks Katie 🙂 http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2012/03/21/skinny-chocolate-chip-muffin-for-one-2/
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Aw thank you! I’m honored, and they look great :).
Sally @ sallys baking addiction says
i’m a light sleeper too Katie! While I adore your dessert recipes, I love stopping by to see some nondessert recipes as well. These are a keeper! PS: I made your Single Serving Blueberry Muffin recipe and posted about them this morning. I used chocolate chips instead 😉
Bjork says
Im a deep sleeper, I can hardly wake up to my alarm lol
Sweet potato looks amazing, can we be roommates?
Sarahishealthy says
I bet you’d be a good roommate! People always say I’m a good roommate because I’m a deep sleeper and so they don’t have to worry about waking me up :).
Sarah @climbinvegan says
that looks amazing.. maybe i’ll go pick up some sweet potatoes! I’m just like you…. I can’t sleep through anything, and I think the universities dorms I’m sleeping is doing nothing good for my health since the kids are up till ungodly hours of the night. Ear plugs helps a bit though!
Kristy says
When I can fall asleep I’m a hard sleeper usually, but I go through bouts of insomnia (currently having one of these this week) and am up and down or tossing and turning all night long.
This looks delicious, but how many servings would you say your recipe’s usually serve? The ice creams seems to serve maybe one, but the vegetable stuffing recipe seems like it would serve a lot. Just curious if you had a general idea for serving sizes.
Sarahishealthy says
Chiming in for Katie! It says how much it makes on the actual recipe post 🙂 .
Catalina Maya says
Hm, now that you’ve posted this, I don’t think I’ve eaten a single potato in my two months of veganism thus far!
Your sister sounds just like me – I’ve slept like a log through myriad events: tornado alarms vociferously ringing, Santa tumbling down the stairs, and even firetrucks and police cars buzzing along!
Alanna says
That looks so good! I love sweet potatoes, but I never remember to buy them at the store. And I am a heavy sleeper, definitely! I think a lot of it is being chronically under-rested, but I used to always sleep through my alarm in college (much to the chagrin of my roommate). I set three alarms every morning and even bought one of those fancy alarm clocks that will roll away from you in the morning so you have to go find it, lol.
Emily @ Glitz Glam Granola says
This looks delicious and I think I’m going to make it tonight! I’ve never really worked with lentils before but I have a pack of pre-cooked ones from TJs- do you mash them in a food processor? Or just with a fork? This looks like such a hearty dish that’s relatively easy to make! Yum!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I usually just use a fork :).
Sophie says
Yum!! Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite things =)
I can’t find anywhere how you prepared yours though, I’m curious!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I usually roast in the oven, but I’ll cook for 5 minutes in the microwave first, to speed up the process.
chris evans says
good sweet potato reciepe! keep up the good works!!!
6mccanns says
KATIE! I have stopped eating all sugar and I miss your blog so much! Thank you for this recipe. I have throughly reviewed all your sugar free options. Thank you for all you do. I tell everyone to come here and check it out.
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
This looks amazing! I wish I could sleep through more things….
Ashley (Southern Purple Vegan) says
I am a heavy sleeper, no alarm clock can wake up expect like 20 alarms in a matter of minutes of going off.
Rachael @ Ready to Get Sweaty says
This looks DELICIOUS and I can’t wait to try the recipe! These are the kinds of recipes I need until Lent is over then you can bring on the chocolate all over again 🙂
Taylor @ Nuts for Apples says
Anything with sweet potatoes is just divine. I love them!
That sucks about the lack of sleep, I hate when that happens. I traveled a bunch for a few weeks & was with my boyfriend part of the time…I ended up getting on his schedule for a little bit (staying up really late & waking up late…) and it took a good week to get back on a normal schedule! That included a lot of restless nights!
Megan says
This looks absolutely delicious! Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite foods of all time. Have you ever had sweet potato fries? I would take them over regular french fries any day! I will definitely give this recipe a try. It looks nice and warm too, plus colorful, so I’m sure it was perfect for a rainy and sleepy day. I’m usually a pretty deep sleeper once I fall asleep. Falling asleep sometimes takes me awhile though because I can never seem to shut my brain off! That’s crazy about your sister sleeping through earthquakes though…I don’t think I’m that good! I hope the weather has cleared up and that you’re feeling refreshed and recharged after a (hopefully) good night’s rest?? Thanks for the post!
~Megan 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Yes, I love sweet potato fries… when I’m not feeling too lazy to make them!
Brandie says
Oh K! This looks AMAZING! I love when you post your non-dessert recipes 🙂 I still need to try the bread free dressing….. I am unfortunately one of the folks who can’t afford the fat or calories of most of your dessert recipes (although I’d eat coconut butter EVERY DAY if I could! OMG.) I am so happy you post these ‘real food’ ideas too! Thanks 🙂
Carlota says
This look DELICIOUS, i love sweet potatos, gonna try it soon…. 😛
shannonmarie (rawdorable) says
I love this recipe. Yum!
I used to be able to sleep through anything. Then, I had kids. I wake up all the time now.
Bianca- Vegan Crunk says
That looks amazing! I’m pinning that! 🙂 I’m pretty sure I could sleep through an earthquake. Nothing bothers me once I’m out.
Emilia says
These look delicious and delightfully easy to put together! I am a relatively light sleeper, music, alarms, knocks on the door they all wake me up. “Deconstructed” versions of things are always delicious, though please do share if you ever decide to make a full shepherd’s pie; it sounds really good 🙂
Kelsey Hibberd says
This looks amazing, Katie! I will definitely be trying this 🙂
Amber K says
I am the world’s lightest sleeper! I can’t sleep through a single thing. In fact, one time I spent the night at a friend’s house and couldn’t sleep because of a ticking clock. She swore the only one in the house was in the living room. I then proceeded to dig out everything from underneath her bed (which turned out to be a lot) and lo and behold, a ticking clock! I can hear anything….but only if I’m trying to sleep. 😉
Maria Carolina Rueda says
It saddens me that people are so obsessed about what other people eat. You really shouldn’t have to prove yourself to anyone Katie! If you’re healthy and happy then that’s all that matters. People who ask all the time what you eat, how much you weigh, and accuse you of having an eating disorder probably have an eating disorder themselves. It really isn’t a good idea to give them answers to these invasive questions.
Back to a more pleasant subject….this looks amazing I really need to buy a few sweet potatoes and give this a try. I usually only eat it roasted but I’m all for trying new things. Thanks for the recipe.
P.S I gave up swearing for lent and it is extremely difficult.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Oh I definitely agree… I’m posting more “meal” ideas not for the people trying to check up on me, but for the people who want to include more vegan meals in their diets but need inspiration ;).
Shay A says
Hey Katie,
I LOVE all of your recipes!!
Do you have specific recipes that are low calorie? Which ones are they?
Also do you have any good post-workout recipes 🙂
I seriously get excited everytime I wake up because I know there will be a new recipe that you posted! You’re awesome!
LOVE from one health nut to the other
<3
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Hi Shay,
Many of my recipes are (or can be) low-calorie, so I don’t have a specific tag for them. Same thing with post-workout… there are a ton that could fall into that category, depending on what you like to eat after working out 🙂
Tash (Dairy Free Chick) says
I’m usually a super light sleeper, but something about rain and storms is comforting. I remember my 2nd grade teacher told us that thunder was giants walking (their steps were the thunder) around their garden (earth) and watering it (rain). Somehow that made it comforting, but now that I think about it… it’s kind of scary for 7 year old. haha
Moni Meals says
What a perfect lil meal. I love sweet potatoes all the time and you stuffin it up… is so cute.
I am a light light light sleeper and I do not like it! my husband on the other hand, not only hears nothing, but falls alseep in 4 mins flat. *sigh* I want to swtich!!
Anna says
Deconstructed vegan shepherd’s pie is THE PERFECT dinner to make while working on my feminist theory essay! (Judith Butler, anyone?) This is on the menu tonight!
Kathy says
Wow, your sister can (was?) able to sleep through earthquakes! She must be a heavy sleeper!
Me, I wake up pretty easily, although not as easy as my step mother (she woke up just by a little, “ah!” by my half sister when she was just born)
http://milk-and-tea.blogspot.com
Jamie @ Don't Forget the Cinnamon says
I love loading up a sweet potato as an easy dinner! I usually go the sweet route (yogurt, craisins, walnuts, cinnamon, etc) but this looks fantastic!
Karina says
I am such a light sleeper. I can’t seem to sleep through anything! And I can’t fall asleep if there are any unusual lights on or noises going.
Katie @ Nutrition in a Peanut Shell says
I was wondering how “sleepy” and “Sweet potatoes” went together! Looks awesome 🙂
RayRay says
That looks great, I will for sure have to try it soon! I am usually a heavy sleeper because when I do sleep I am usually really tired and sleep like a rock 😛
Amber says
Please keep the non-dessert posts coming! I’m in love with your sweet potato black bean chili and cauliflower nuggets. I also loved making your CCK’s pineapple ginger stir-fry! 🙂
Andrea B. says
Four hours?!
Honestly, I’m jealous! I’m a chronic insomniac and get 2-3 hours of broken sleep a night.
This looks sooo good though! I think I’m going to try this but using half a kabocha squash instead. Please keep the non-dessert recipe ideas coming as well! Mmmmmmm.
Jacqueline@digintobooks says
Since sweet potatoes are my favorite food, I’ll definitely have to try a CCK version of them!!! Thanks for such a great recipe! Yum.
Rachel's Cottage House says
MMMM!!! They look fantastic!!!
kate @eatrecyclerepeat says
I love the name of this, and I love sweet potatoes even more! I can’t wait to get my hands on some lentils and try this out.
I’m a horribly light sleeper, but I am trying to convince myself otherwise.
Laura says
It’s been awhile since I’ve had a sweet potato…yum!
I’m a ridiculously light sleeper. I can’t imagine sleeping through an alarm or ringing phone!
Charissa says
This looks so good! I will have to make this!
Kate@Cooking with Arthritis says
I’m such a fan of sweet potatoes and veggie chilli so I’ll try this. I like hummus or pb on sweet potatoes too – is that weird?
Super sleepy myself right now, probably going to fall asleep head first into my cereal bowl…
T says
Yum that looks GREAT! Can’t find sweet potatoes anywhere in Serbia and I’m missing them a ton.
I would add thyme to the mix as well…
LizAshlee says
There are a few colors I haven’t seen on this blog…it’s usually just that dark chocolate color..hehe…looks like a great recipe…thanks for sharing!
Justine Duppong @ Life With Cheeseburgers says
Loooove sweet potatoes. 🙂 Although, I have to have them with cinnamon!
Oh and–I wake up at the drop of a pin!
Erin says
Thank you for posting this! I tried it yesterday (I modified it a bit with what I had available in the kitchen) and it was delish! http://gradliving-erin.blogspot.com/2012/03/sweetness.html
Elizabeth @ Chocolate Drops and Pearls says
I am the world’s lightest sleeper. Not only do I wake up to the slightest sound but I’ll wake up in the middle of the night for no reason! I woke up just last night at 2am out of the blue!
Brittany says
I never was a light sleeper until I moved in with boyfriend three years ago who lives next to train tracks AND an airport. After a horrible adjustment period, I can now sleep like a rock
Sarah says
I have trouble w/ leftovers as well, sometimes I freeze them, however I never have a problem getting rid of pumkin bc it is my fav waffle and pancake flavors!
Sarah says
ha, thought I replied to the chz cake recipe! ;D
Megan says
I finally got to try this for dinner tonight and it was DELICIOUS!!! And so colorful. I took a picture of all the veggies cooking in the pan and I couldn’t resist taking a picture of my dinner plate, too 🙂 Isn’t it funny that today also happened to be a sort of dreary day? Kind of like the day you described in your post. I guess I was just in the need of some color! Thank you so much for the idea!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
It’s always a dreary day when I have the BEST things to photograph.
Oh well… at least the dreariness can’t mess up taste, which is more important anyway, right? 😉
LouAnne says
Yum!! I’ll be making this for dinner tonight… since I’m sleepy and have all the ingredients on hand. 🙂
Rhaina says
Great recipe! My mom, who never likes the vegetarian recipes I make, loved it. I added some mushrooms, which were delicious with the lentils.
Laurie says
Hi Katie, This sounds awesome. Do you know what the nutritional information on this would be?
Jessica Adkins says
Do you know why I love you?! Everything is so easy,appealing, and tasty! Thanks so much for helping my family be healthy 🙂 loving the non-dessert entry’s!
Tamra says
Can I put all of these ingredients into a crockpot and get the same results? Can I find cooking times for sweet potatoes somewhere on your site?
mike says
Hello Friends,
Please advice me if sweet yam (with soy milk ) help sleep well?
Thank you very much for your advice.
Sincerely,
mike
Emily says
haha i know this comment is really late but i had to respond to the QOTD 🙂
i am a super deep sleeper, apparently when i was a little kid i slept through my dad accidentally setting of the fire alarm! but somehow my moms voice always manages to wake me up.
ps. these potatoes look so good!!!
BakeMeABallerina says
I know it’s pretty intuitive, but the potatoes are not listed
Jennifer says
This was so yummy! I’m not always a fan of lentils but I loved this recipe 🙂
Danielle says
This recipe brings back such good memories… one of my favorites ever.
Anonymous says
Hi! Can I use frozen spinach in a pinch? Your blog is fulfilling of easy and quick recipes but always delicious:) the more I navigate to, the more I discover old ones and for me it’s great news!
Thanks so much