Cheesy Beef & Sweet Potato Flautas

Summary
Prep time	45 minutes
Cook time	15-20 minutes @ 400
Source	What to Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking by Caroline Chambers (pg 125)
Yield / serves	12 flautas
Rating	(unrated)

Ingredients

• 1 lb sweet potatoes
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 3/4 t kosher salt, plus more as needed
• 1 1/2 t ground cumin, divided
• 1 1/2 t chili powder, divided
• 1 t smoked paprika
• 1 t garlic powder
• 1/2 t onion powder
• 2 T water
• 12x 8-inch flour tortillas
• 1 c shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• nonstick cooking spray
• 1/2 head iceberg lettuce
• 1 c sour cream
• 1 t lime juice or any clear vinegar

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 400. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Peel the sweet potatoes and grate them on the largest holes of a box grater.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, using a wooden spoon or spatula to break it up into tiny crumbles, until a bit of fat renders and collects in the skillet, about 3 minutes. Add the shredded sweet potatoes, salt, 1 teaspoon of the cumin, 1 teaspoon of the chili powder, the paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook, stirring often, until the beef is cooked through and the sweet potatoes are tender, 4-5 minutes more. Stir in 2 tablespoons water during the final minute.

Meanwhile, stack the tortillas and warm them in the microwave for a few seconds until flexible. Fill each tortilla down the center with the beef mixture, then sprinkle on the cheese, dividing it evenly. Roll them up tightly and place them seam side down on the prepared baking sheet.

Coat the flautas with cooking spray, then bake for 15-20 minutes, until crispy and browned.

Meanwhile, thinly slice the lettuce. In a medium bowl, stir together the sour cream, lime juice, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon cumin, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, and a pinch of salt. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.

Serve the flautas with the sliced lettuce piled on top, dolloped with the creamy chili sauce. Eat the whole mess with a fork and knife.