Yams are most commonly found in Africa, Asia and Latin America. In other parts it is referred to as sweet potatoes. It’s shape resembles a tube and has yellow flesh which looks starchy. Its skin is rough and hard to peel but when heated it softens. The skin varies in color depending on where it’s was planted. The skin color can either be light pink or dark brown. The skin covers a much softer substance also known as the “meat”. The “meat” also varies in color it can either be pink, purple, white or yellow. Yams can weigh up to 70 Kilograms and also up to 2.5 meters in length. It is worth learning how to cook yams.  Below is a simple recipe that will help prepare a delicious baked potato yam.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds of peeled and cut yam (cut into small cubes)

• 2 pounds of peeled and cut baking potatoes (also cut into small cubes)

• ½ cup of milk

• Ground black pepper

• Salt to taste

• ¼ cup of butter (alternatively one can use margarine if butter is unavailable)

• 10 large cloves of garlic

• 5 tablespoons of olive oil

• 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary

• ½ a cup of grated cheese

• Water

Method

Put water in a cooking pot and some salt in it. Put potatoes and the yams in the cooking pot and leave it to cook for about 30 minutes. This is to make the yams and the potatoes become tender. If all the water doesn’t dry out after the 30 minutes drain the remaining water. Put the potatoes in a bowl and add milk, rosemary, olive oil, garlic and butter (or margarine depending on what one has). The mixture is supposed to be mashed until it is smooth enough. One can add cooking oil to the mixture to achieve the desired smooth marsh. Add the cheese to the mixture and also the pepper and salt to taste. Mix till all the mixture is evenly spread. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish. The dish should be buttered before putting in the mixture. Sprinkle some cheese on the mixture again. Bake for around 50 minutes until it is thoroughly heated and has golden look on top.

Serving and Accompaniments

This meal can serve 6 to 8 people. There are several accompaniments one can use but the most common vegetable salads and beverages.