South Beach Diet Sweet Potato-Feta Rounds

Note from Cheri: The recipe and text below are reprinted with permission from The South Beach Diet -- Parties & Holidays Cookbook by Arthur Agatston, MD (2006 Rodale). What I like best about this book, along with other South Beach Diet Cookbook (see The South Beach Diet Dining Guide and The South Beach Diet Quick and Easy Cookbook) is that the recipes are appealing even you aren't following Dr. Arthur Agatston's wildly popular South Beach Diet. To eat food this good and still lose weight is just a happy bonus. You'll get 20 full party plans and menus and 150 delicious South Beach Diet friendly recipes. Now you can entertain and still stay on your diet. The food will be so good, your friends and family will never suspect they eating healthy. Click here for more information about this book along with discount ordering links through Amazon.com NOTE: This recipe is part of an entire South Beach Diet party plan -- Hors d’Oeuvres Party for a Crowd (click link for party plan and many more recipes).

The sturdy texture of sweet potatoes makes them perfect for roasting and using as colorful orange “cups” for tasty fillings like this one, made with feta, garlic, and chives.

3 long, thin sweet potatoes, peeled (about 1 1/2 pounds) 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 garlic clove, minced 4 ounces reduced-fat feta cheese, crumbled (3/4 cup) 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives freshly ground black pepper

Makes 10 (3-piece) Servings Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Cut potatoes into 30 (3/4-inch-thick) rounds. With a melon baller, carefully scoop a pocket into each potato piece, being careful not to scoop through bottoms; discard scooped-out portion. Combine potato pieces, 1 tablespoon of the oil, and garlic in a large bowl; toss to coat. Spread potatoes out on the baking sheet, scooped-out side up, and roast until potatoes are just tender and edges are starting to brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Meanwhile, mash feta, chives, and remaining 1 teaspoon oil together in a small bowl. Season with pepper to taste. Remove potatoes from oven and fill each pocket with a heaping 1/2 teaspoon cheese mixture. Return to oven and bake until heated through, about 5 minutes. Serve warm. Make-Ahead: Cheese mixture can be prepared up to 1 day ahead; refrigerate in a covered container until ready to use. Sweet potatoes can be roasted (without cheese mixture) up to 8 hours before the party; cover and leave at room temperature. Fill with cheese mixture and warm through just before serving. Nutrition Per Serving :80 calories, 2.5 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 3 g protein, 11 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 150 mg sodium.