How I Prepared Yam Porridge with Vegetables on a Low Budget
This morning I decided to prepare yam porridge with vegetables for my family. With the rising cost of food in the market, I had to be intentional about cooking something nourishing without spending too much. I am glad I was able to make a delicious and filling pot of food using simple and affordable ingredients.
For this meal, I used yam tubes, palm oil, red pepper, onions, locust beans, curry leaves, and Iyana Ipaja leaves. Most of these are things we already have at home, and the vegetable was even plucked from my backyard. Cooking with what you have around you is one of the best ways to cut costs.
The preparation started with the yam. I peeled the yam tubes and cut them into small, even pieces so they could cook faster. I rinsed the pieces thoroughly in clean water to wash off dirt and excess starch. I then put the yam into a pot, added enough water to cover it, and placed it on the fire.
After about five minutes of boiling, I began to add my seasonings. First was the locust beans because it needs time to release its flavor. Next I added the ground red pepper, sliced onions, and curry leaves. The curry leaves gave the pot a fresh aroma even as it cooked.
For the vegetable, I went to my backyard and plucked fresh Iyana Ipaja leaves. I rinsed them well to remove dirt. To keep the green color and reduce the raw taste, I poured hot water over the leaves before adding them to the pot. This simple step helps the vegetable stay fresh and tender.
I added the Iyana Ipaja into the pot last, stirred everything together, and covered it. I allowed the food to cook until the yam became soft and all the ingredients melted together. The palm oil, pepper,
locust beans, and vegetables combined to form a thick and tasty porridge.
In a short time the food was ready. The smell filled the kitchen and the taste was rich.
What I appreciate about this meal is that it was made on a low budget but did not taste low budget at all. Plucking the vegetable from my backyard saved money and made the food even fresher. This shows that with little planning, you can still eat well.
Yam porridge with vegetables is proof that good food does not have to be expensive. It was simple, affordable, healthy, and made with love.