Recipe adapted from Live Lighter.  General healthy eating advice only.

For individual, expert nutrition or recipe advice, book an appointment with a dietitian at Access Health and Community. Call (03) 9810 3000 or visit www.accesshc.org.au

Quick Baked Sweet Potato

Cooking time: 12 minutes (10 minutes preparation time)

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 4 small sweet potatoes
• 1 cup reduced-fat mozzarella cheese, grated
• 300g pre-cooked chicken breast, sliced or shredded
• 250g cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup basil leaves
• Pepper – to taste

Method

1. Scrub skins on sweet potatoes.
2. Use a fork to prick sweet potatoes at least 12 times each.
3. Place sweet potatoes onto a plate under a microwave-safe cover and microwave on high for 5 minutes, turn over and cook a further 5 minutes until soft and hot in the centre.
4. Remove from microwave once cooked. Place on a plate and cut potatoes in half lengthways with the skin side down.
5. Sprinkle potato halves with cheese, then layer on chicken and tomatoes.
6. Microwave for another 2 minutes if you prefer your filling to be warm.
7. Top with torn basil leaves and black pepper before serving.

Tips:

• When cooking one sweet potato, start with 3 minutes each side in the microwave.
• Top with other seasonal vegetables such as baby spinach leaves, capsicum, mushrooms or spring onions.
• To add extra fibre, add canned vegetables such as canned corn kernels or beans as toppings.
• Chilli flakes, dried herbs or mustard are alternative low-cost ways to add flavour.
• If you have time, you can bake the sweet potato in the oven until the skin is crunchy outside and the centre is soft inside.
• Don’t have a microwave? Try steaming the potato instead.