1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

6 cups water

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon minced thyme leaves

3 sprigs of marjoram

1 teaspoon salt

3 large yams, peeled and cubed

teaspoon nutmeg

Pinch of cayenne

Soak peas overnight and drain. Heat oil in a large, heavy pot; add onion and saut over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, until golden. Add peas and water and bring to a boil. Add bay leaf, thyme, marjoram, and salt and simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour. Add yams and nutmeg, and simmer for 30 minutes more. Remove from the heat and add cayenne. Remove and discard bay leaf before serving. Makes 6 servings.

Per serving: 277 calories/2 gm fat/50 gm carbohydrate/349 mg sodium