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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, June 11, 2008

TASTE
TASTE
Wrap it up!

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By Jim Romanoff
Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Cool down and lighten up for summer with roasted vegetable wraps, filled with sweet potato, green beans, red bell peppers and hummus, with a side of herbed cucumber-tomato salad. Delicious and satisfying, yet good for you.

Photos by LARRY CROWE | Associated Press

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Sweet potatoes kick up the nutrients and fiber in roasted vegetable wraps, whose flavors are inspired by the Middle East.

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Not all flour tortillas are created equal.

These thin, light rounds of bread can contain plenty of unwanted fat and calories. Depending on ingredients and size, a flour tortilla can have as little as 100 calories and about 1 gram of fat, or as many as 400 calories and 12 grams of fat.

The best flour tortillas have just a few ingredients — flour, water and a bit of fat to keep them soft and moist. Some brands use more fat than others for the same size tortilla, so it's important to watch the fat grams.

Equally important is the type of fat used. Look for products that use healthier oils, such as canola and sunflower, rather than hydrogenated soybean or cottonseed oils.

Also, beware the mega-tortilla. The calorie and fat levels in the 12-inch-and-larger tortillas are obviously the highest, plus they encourage you to overfill with ingredients.

Of course, what you put inside the tortilla is just as important.

These delicious and satisfying roasted vegetable wraps are inspired by flavors from the Middle East. Plus, with sweet potatoes as the main ingredient, they are loaded with nutrients and fiber.

The wraps are made using 8-inch tortillas, the perfect size for the amount of filling created with this recipe. If you like, use whole-wheat or multi-grain flour tortillas for added flavor and nutritional benefits.

For a summery, light supper, serve the roasted vegetable wraps with a diced cucumber and tomato salad dressed with olive oil, red wine vinegar and some chopped fresh herbs such as parsley and oregano.

ROASTED VEGETABLE WRAPS

  • 1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice (about 2 medium)

  • 3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided use

  • 8 ounces green beans, cut into 1-inch lengths

  • 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips

  • 3/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin

  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander

  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 3/4 cup prepared hummus

  • 4 (8-inch) flour tortillas

    Preheat oven to 425 F.

    In medium bowl, toss sweet potatoes and green beans with 2 teaspoons oil. Spread potatoes and beans over two-thirds of large baking sheet.

    In same bowl toss peppers with remaining teaspoon of oil, then spread them over remaining third of baking sheet. Season all vegetables with salt and pepper.

    Cover potatoes and beans with piece of aluminum foil, leaving peppers uncovered. Roast 15 minutes.

    In small bowl, stir together cumin, coriander and thyme. Uncover potatoes and beans and sprinkle spice blend and lemon juice over all vegetables. Toss vegetables to coat. Return to oven and roast, uncovered, 25 to 35 minutes longer, or until vegetables are tender and browned.

    Spread about 3 tablespoons of hummus over each tortilla, leaving 2-inch uncovered border all around. Divide filling among tortillas; fold in two sides and roll up as you would a burrito, placing the seam side down so the wraps stay closed. Serve immediately.

    Makes four servings.