Holli Thompson

Guest Blog Post: Selina McPherson’s Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

 
Selina McPherson is one of the creative designers behind ROARKE New York, along with her sister, Laetitia Stanfield. Their vibrant, look-at-me creations are hip and classic at the same time. ROARKE’s celebrity list of fans is legion, and these two ladies bring a unique shade of cool to their designs.

I love their beaded scarves, and count myself as one of their first clients.

Selina, (and Laetitia) are also health conscious and masterful in the kitchen, coming from a long line of french cooks, most especially their lovely mother, Nadia.

Here’s a wonderful, easy to make dinner for autumn using sweet potatoes, my favorite, from Selina. Sweet potatoes are high in fiber and rich in nutrients. This is perfect for you Flexible Vegetarians, and the rest of us, as we head into fall.

Ingredients
4 sweet potatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 shallot, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (4-inch) sprig fresh rosemary
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 1/2 cups (or 1 BPS free can) cooked and drained white beans
6 cups kale, trimmed and sliced into ribbons
1/2 cup baby tomatoes, sliced in half
Juice of 1/4 lemon
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Scrub the sweet potatoes and prick them in a few places with a fork. Place them on a baking sheet and bake until soft all the way through, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

3. Start the beans, tomatoes and greens about 15 to 20 minutes before the sweet potatoes are done.

4. In a wide, deep saucepan with a cover, heat the olive oil over low-moderate heat. Add the shallots and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, rosemary sprig, and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, for about a minute. Add the beans and tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the kale, cover the pan, and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes or until the kale is soft. Remove the rosemary sprig, stir in the lemon juice, and season to taste with salt and pepper.

5. To serve, slice each sweet potato lengthwise and push on the ends to open up the middle. Spoon the beans, tomatoes and greens into the center.

Selina McPherson is co-owner of the fashion accessories company, ROARKE New York, with her sister Laetitia Stanfield. ROARKE creates fresh, new jewelry designs that are strikingly unique. Their website is a vibrant and colorful marketplace for their original hand beaded scarf necklaces and other textile accessories. They’re influenced by inspirational trips to destinations around the globe, as well as their Parisian and New York heritage. Whether spending the day in a white shirt and jeans, or an evening in a little black dress, ROARKE jewelry is the perfect cool accent.

You can find their creations at high-end retailers all over the world, including Ikram, Chicago, Henri Bendel, NYC, Takashimaya, Japan, Colette, Paris and Shopbop online, and have been featured in Elle, Vogue, The New York Times, Women’s Wear Daily, and InStyle.