YAM AND SAUTÉED SPINACH

While digging around for a few facts about this wonderful root vegetable, I discovered that although it is grown throughout Africa, Nigeria is actually the world's largest producer and exporter of yam, responsible for over 70 percent of the world total output. For some reason, this makes me extremely proud and I'm not exactly sure why. And while I'm on the topic of weird sensations, I guess this would be as good a time as any to admit that one of my guilty pleasures in life is sneaking a bit of cold yam from the pot long after the end of the meal and munching my way through a thick chunk of the stuff. Again, not exactly sure why.

Moving on, I must admit that yam is not the most attractive looking vegetable around and if you're not used to cooking it, it might seem a little daunting at first. BUT once you get past the thick, knife-blunting, rough exterior, you've got yourself a versatile super food packed full of A B C vitamins, iron, potassium and dietary fibre to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Not bad, not bad...

I've kept this recipe pretty basic but it's delicious to boot. The mild taste of the yam soaks up the intense flavours of the spinach sauce. It's fresh and moreish all at once.

Ingredients

- 1/2 yam tuber (cut in thick slices and peeled)

- 3 cups chopped spinach

- 1 red onion (sliced into thin circles)

- 1 green pepper (finely chopped)

- 4 tbsp lentils or cooked beans (for some extra protein!)

- 1 vegetable stock cube

- 1-2 tsp chilli powder

- 1 tbsp palm oil

- 1/2 cup water

- Salt to taste

Start by boiling the yam in lightly salted water until soft (but not mushy!).

To make the spinach sauce, sautée the red onions in oil for 5 minutes before adding the spinach. Sautée for a further 5 minutes then cover with half a cup of water. Add the cooked beans or lentils, chopped green pepper, stock cube, chilli powder and salt to taste. Leave uncovered and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until most of the water has evaporated. 

Serve the yam and spinach hot. Enjoy!