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In the comedy of errors that is my life, I came home Saturday afternoon to a keyboard that had suddenly forgotten its alphabet.

It appears that laptop preschools have started taking their curriculum from the New York City board of education, which forbids its teachers from actually teaching the nation’s youth.  And so what is a keyboard to do, really, other than use its imagination! – the one skill that preK teachers (and Barney) are still allowed to nurture and encourage – and come up with its own character system.

Apparently qe, ad, and zc are going to replace the letters q, e, a, d, z, and c in the eventual future when machines take over the world.

At least, that is…if my keyboard has anything to do with it.

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After trying fruitlessly to learn to live with this new language scheme for, oh…two hours.  I realized that you just can’t teach an old dog new tricks or a twenty-something year old a new alphabet (I knew there was a reason I never studied Chinese or Japanese in high school…).

And that really, when it comes down to it.  I have no desire to substitute “qe” for “e” every chance I get. even if that’s what all the cool laptops are doing these days.  Who even knows how to pronounce such a phoneme?  Surely not I.

So under my brother’s instruction and after I came thisclose to pressing “purchase now” on the HP website order form for a whole new laptop (I can be a bit trigger happy when it comes to new, shiny things).  I went to Best Buy to get a new keyboard.

Only to come home an hour later to discover that, in a fit of nostalgia and/or temporary amnesia, my laptop had reverted back to normalcy and, you know.  The English language. It figures.

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So what’s a girl to do at a time like this other than throw her hands up at technology, walk away from the juvenile delinquent that is her very own HP Pavilion.  And turn that frustration into a batch of smoky sweet salty and utterly delicious burritos?

No, I can’t think of anything more wildly appropriate either.

(Thanks so much to Jacqui of Good Things Grow for choosing the Beans ‘n Greens Burritos for this week’s Food Matters Project recipe!  Check out her site for the original recipe.)

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Chickpea, Swiss Chard and Sweet Potato Burritos
Serves 4, adapted from The Food Matters Cookbook

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 bunch swiss chard, destemmed and torn into strips
  • 1 large Japanese sweet potato (or regular sweet potato), diced
  • 2 cups chickpeas
  • 4 whole wheat tortilla shells
  • 4 oz queso fresco, crumbled

Ingredients

  1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.  Add in the onion and garlic and saute, stirring frequently, until starting to brown, 5-8 minutes.  Add in the smoked paprika and a pinch of salt and pepper.
  2. Add the swiss chard strips to the pan and saute until wilted.  Add the sweet potato to the pan.  Turn the heat down to medium and, stirring frequently, saute until sweet potato is tender, about 5-8 minutes.  Add in the chickpeas and cook until heated through.  Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
  3. Heat a large nonstick skillet over high heat.  Heat the tortilla shells one at a time, 30 seconds per side.  
  4. Put 1/4 of the filling on each tortilla shell.  Top each with 1 oz of queso crumbles.  Roll up into a burrito and eat!

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You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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86 Responses to Chickpea, Swiss Chard and Sweet Potato Burritos {the food matters project}

  1. hilarious! and i thought italian keyboards were tricky. 🙂 that burrito combo sounds fiber-licious and amazing!!

  2. OohLookBel says:

    I spilt green tea on my old laptop and all the top row numbers went bonkers. I thought I could live without the numbers except most of my passwords had numbers in them… Duh! I’m not a fan of big meaty burritos but could definitely have a go of that one. Delicious!

  3. Dang, what a wacky keyboard!! At least all is fixed and you have chickpeas (and hopefully something sweet)!

  4. Ah computers…. These burritos look very hearty and filling. I use chickpeas as often as I can because they are just so delicious.

  5. bellini says:

    My keyboard may have been flying out the window, but then again I do have a love/hate relationship with all technology.As for dinner and this burrito it would sped up my recovery quite nicely.

  6. Elizabeth says:

    Hey now, I quite liked my NYC public school education 🙂

  7. Sam says:

    This was basically my go-to dinner when I first moved to New York: Sweet potato, black bean, and spinach burritos. Cheap, healthy, filling, and all of the ingredients readily available in my Washington Heights grocery store.

    And…some of us work quite hard in NYC schools to make sure kids are learning things!

  8. Your burrito looks so good. hey maybe it’s code and someone was sending you a message!

  9. Girl you had me at sweet potatoes! 🙂 Your burrito looks delish! Happy Memorial Day!!

  10. Marcia says:

    those look delicious
    and that was funny. I hate it when computers go all wonky, then go back to normal, for no reason.

  11. Louisa says:

    The only reason my computer is still alive is because my boyfriend is a computer tech. I have killed my computer so many times 😛

    Burritos sound good. I have a bag of spinach that needs using, too.

  12. Johanna GGG says:

    now that is my sort of burrito – and any keyboard that refuses to spell it is a fool 🙂

  13. daphne says:

    oooo…that is one full on burrito! So much going at once- love it!

  14. Suzi says:

    I could really go for this today, I even have some sweet potatoes. No chard but I have spinach, sounds delicious.

  15. What a delicious combination of ingredients for a vegetarian burrito. This looks so scrumptious, Joanne! Great recipe and beautiful photos.

  16. Ummm, I looove chickpeas, swiss chard, and sweet potatoes. Yep, I would like one of these ASAP! 🙂

  17. Raina says:

    That keyboard just wanted to get you out of the house for a while so it could have some time alone with your mixer…lol That is one healthy and super yummy burrito. Can you come to my house and tell my husband and kids we need to be eating things like this more?:)

  18. Kalyn says:

    This recipe has my name all over it! I would love this for dinner.

  19. I just got the visual of Carrie at the computer repair shop, talking about Sad Macs 🙁

    The burritos look like they came out great, though! It’s nice to know you can always count on chickpeas and potatoes to never let you down!

  20. Beautiful! I am all about the wraps these days – perfect for the season. You are the queen of beans and greens – and Squash, of course!

  21. Kristen says:

    That looks awesome, Joanne! My laptop keyboard did that a few weeks ago but it was because I spilled about a tablespoon of milk on it. Oopsie! I had to get a new keyboard (but luckily not a new computer)!

  22. Simply Life says:

    LOVE this burrito filling!

  23. Beth says:

    Oh, Joanne, this looks absolutely wonderful. I’ll be tucking this recipe away to try sometime. (And BTW, keyboards only repair themselves after you’ve already replaced them.)

  24. Camila Faria says:

    The healthiest burrito I’ve ever seen! Looks amazing Joanne!

  25. Lori says:

    That is one amazing burrito! I know tech people think I’m nuts, but I’m convinced that electronics have a mind of their own. It sounds like your possessed keyboard supports my theory. 🙂

  26. Oh wow I could never deal with that new system! I hope I never have to because I pride myself on being a fast typer and that would turn my fingers to lead…As for these burritos, they look like the perfect thing to soothe any frustration 8).

  27. Most amazing looking burrito ever.

  28. JoJo says:

    I love chickpeas!!
    This looks amazing, healthy and delish!
    I love using smoked paprika too.

  29. Hannah says:

    I’m kind of flabbergasted at how perfect this is: I just cooked up a pound of dried chickpeas last night for miscellaneous meals, and bought a bunch of chard earlier today. I think that this was meant to be [dinner].

  30. Candace says:

    I had a keyboard once that completely forgot that it had an “S”. I spent some time substituting “$” for “S” until the keyboard could be replaced. Thankfully I’m married to an IT guy and he can fix me up when necessary…even when I turn a whole cup of coffee on top of my laptop keyboard. Turns out they don’t do well with hot liquids being poured on top of them. Anyway, I’m pretty sure that these burritos would take care of absolutely everything in life. They look delicious, Joanne!

  31. these burritos sound so delicious! it’s fun that they’re chickpea + sweet potato and not black bean + sweet potato, which is all so common.

  32. Cathleen says:

    Haha, I remember when I was first applying to university, I was trying to write my average percentage into the computer. I had a certain aversion to technology, but I thought that it went pretty well. But after that affair was over, they promptly sent me an email saying “we are sorry to inform you that we are unable to accept you at this moment with your current average of 0%” Needless to say, my average was well above 0% (I don’t think that people who have no attendance can even get 0%) so I totally understand your technology frustration.
    But this looks absolutely delicious!! I have only recently fallen in love with chick peas. This is perfect!

  33. I love the addition of sweet potatoes!

  34. Karis Ann says:

    Can’t wait to try this recipe, the combination sounds wonderful!

  35. Margarita says:

    Oh technology! I hate when that happens too! My work laptop crashed a couple weeks ago, but our tech guy at work fixed it for me in a jiffy. This combination in a burrito sounds wonderful! Yum!

  36. Reeni says:

    I love everything about these burritos! And I see my favorite ingredient of the moment smoked paprika! That stuff is insane. We have the same laptop – which is no surprise – glad it worked itself out.

  37. Lexi says:

    Great combination of flavors!

  38. Christine says:

    Now that is one good-looking burrito! Computers are so wonderful but such a pain when they go on the fritz! The burrito was an excellent response to the j.d.’s temper tantrum! It’s so weird and frustrating how they can just snap back to normalcy after making one pull one’s hair out for several hours (or days).

  39. Pam says:

    I would have made these burritos too if that happened to me. Technology is strange but this burrito is genius!

  40. Hotly Spiced says:

    I must be living in a backwater because I have not heard of this new technology. And just as well. I’m not ready to have that happen to my lap top. Another delicious looking meal Joanne. I love Swiss Chard xx

  41. Kerstin says:

    You’ve reminded me we haven’t had any sweet potatoes for way too long! I’ll have to fix that. These look great – I love all the ingredients!

  42. Adrienne says:

    Oh technology enrages me sometimes. Its no wonder I didn’t throw my old computer across the room. But since I’ve had a Mac I’ve been stress free. You should give it a try 😀 and I should definitely give these burritos a try. Yum!

  43. o healthy food does matter! This looks so very yummy and wholesome!

  44. Sanjeeta kk says:

    Would love to have this healthy platter of meal any time of the day!

  45. This is so uber healthy and delicious too! I love it 😀

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  46. Barbara says:

    Oh Lord, I’m not going to be able to handle that change. Even as it is, my granddaughter says I slam too hard on the keyboard (which wears out the letters super fast) but I learned on an old fashioned typewriter and we HAD to hit those keys hard.
    Love this dish, but then anything with sweet potatoes catches my eye.

  47. Amy says:

    Omg. Lol. It took me until “…my laptop had reverted back to normalcy” to realize you were talking about a keyboard for a computer. I was like, “I didn’t know Joanne played the keyboard.” DOH. I clearly ate way too much over this past holiday weekend and suffer from food coma…and cannot concentrate this early.

  48. Hehe, sounds like your keyboard was playing a trick on you! This sounds soooo good…I love the addition of sweet potato.

  49. Hello my name is Ashley (or Bee… someday I’ll revert to using my real name, always) and I’m a Mac. It’s a good time.

    These burritos look lovely! I love how food can comfort technology woes 🙂

  50. kelsey says:

    healthy, delish and easy. thank you! perfect!

  51. Lora says:

    What healthy, beautiful burritos. Love them!

  52. Erica says:

    I am making this for dinner tonight! It looks healthy and delicious!

  53. so simple and pretty – i’m sure the japanese sweet potato was a great addition too.

  54. Jenna says:

    Wow, you have a keyboard with a mean streak, playing tricks on you like that! I’m glad you can comfort yourself with this awesome burrito–which I’m sure dulls the pain of the unnecessarily spent money. =)

  55. Blond Duck says:

    I’m going to have to try this w/ black beans and corn tortillas!

  56. I love how you turned your keyboard frustration into this awesome dish! I’m honestly not much of chickpea fan but I’ll most definitely give it another chance with this dish.

  57. Eileen says:

    Bleah, keyboard issues! Aren’t you glad that keyboards cost so much less than a new laptop, though? And I love the burrito filling–chickpeas and greens are definitely one of my favorite combinations!

  58. Claudia says:

    I am loving this series and follow it faithfully – particularly after a weekend of some…. well, indulgence. That’s a round-about way of saying I will be making this. I had to memorize a keyboard when I was 11 and I’m not going through that trauma again.

  59. grace says:

    thems is some purty wrappers, joanne. who needs education anyway? 🙂

  60. tigerfish says:

    It is a hearty filling healthy wrap with the addition of protein and fiber (chickpeas and sweet potatoes). LIKE!

  61. Kristen says:

    I love technology as much as the next person, but sometimes I wish we could write our blogs with paper and pen.

  62. Carolyn Jung says:

    I often think technology plays tricks on us. Glad the “techno elves” magically righted everything.

  63. Katie says:

    I’m so curious about those Japanese sweet potatoes. I had to look twice at the pictures because the title said sweet potato, and I just didn’t see it. Is the taste pretty similar?

  64. Dawn says:

    Chickpeas and sweet potatoes….you can’t go wrong. I’m pinning this right now!

  65. Natalie says:

    I was wondering the same thing about the sweet potato as the commenter above me – I’ve never heard of a Japanese sweet potato and I would have guessed it was a regular potato from the picture! I’m sure this would be just as delicious with a regular sweet potato too though. Glad your keyboard sorted itself out (although it wasn’t very nice of it to make you waste your money like that!)

  66. Darned computers-keyboards! Stubborn beyond belief and sorely behind on good behavior. Glad yours decided to behave after all.

    Delicious combo of flavors in that wrap!

  67. As always such a great recipe!! Glad everything is okay now with the keyboard!

  68. Monet says:

    Ugh, computers. They never fail to frustrate us! But at least you have something as delicious as this! I have been eating sweet potatoes every day this month. Serious cravings! Thank you for sharing with me, sweet friend, and for your kind words on my blog! I’m excited to be back around. Hugs and love from Austin!

  69. I really like the addition of sweet potato Joanne – that looks delicious!

  70. that’s weird with the keyboard. But yeah, apparently there is going to be a new keyboard coming up… Not sure if it will be in this decade or the next! But our current keyboard placements are not exactly the most efficient way when it comes to speed. Apparently, they were placed in such order to DECREASE speed, and minimize errors in the typewriter days! But you’re right. Can’t teach an old dog new tricks! Delicious recipe by the way!! I guess you’re using the “rhubarb lookalike”.

  71. Mary says:

    This looks mouthwatering. I’d love to come sit at your table once a week, Joanne. I’m betting that you’d convince me to happily give up my meats at least for those meals. (Bet you’re glad that I live all the way across the country from you right now, aren’t you?) Have a GREAT week!

  72. ADORE this combo! Sounds very satisfying!

  73. Hi, I am really happy to tell you I have awarded you some… awards 😀
    Congrats and check it out here: http://gobakeyourself.wordpress.com/2012/05/30/technical-jargon/

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  74. That Girl says:

    I haven’t had that particular problem, but I’ve had my share of keyboard issues.

  75. That just looks so delicious and healthy I can hardly control myself. There’s something about chard and sweet potato that I just can’t get enough of.

  76. Evi says:

    This looks so delicious and tasty! Funny story about keyboards, right? Silly technology!

  77. Whoa, that would be impossible for me–hope it stays back to normal so you can return the new keyboard. The burritos sound so good. Are japanese sweet potatoes white like a normal potato?

  78. Catherine says:

    Dear Joanne, This looks wonderful and healthy. Blessings dear. Catherine xo

  79. Ruth Daniels says:

    Not sure which I love more… your hysterical posts, your gorgeous photos or your over the top delicious dishes.

  80. Chris says:

    ljasdo l9idl aop2ooos’/ !

    Don’t you agree? 😉

  81. Deborah says:

    Gotta love technology!! And these burritos. Yum!

  82. I just got back from vaca and need a detox stat — this sounds like the perfect way to start without sacrificing an once of flavor!

  83. Naomi says:

    I found your recipe on Tastespotting and I have to say…it was delicious! I made a couple changes though…
    -I used a full bunch of red swiss chard…stems included (I diced them).
    -I added sumac to the veggie mixture, after adding in the chickpeas. Also, I didn’t have smoked paprika, so I used regular.
    -I spread humus on the tortilla, and then I drizzled tahini on top of the cooked veggie mixture. I also topped it with lemon juice, fresh mint, and crumbled feta (instead of queso fresca).

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