It takes a village!

POTATOES It's the kitchen staple worth befriending, beloved the world over and such an interesting fella. With the highest production and consumption rate in the world, potatoes are undoubtedly the world's go-to and a staple food in every kitchen.  So maybe it's time you get comfortable and become a little more than friends. Potatoes have gotten a bad rap from the health and fitness communities. Choose sweet potatoes or other root vegetables, they say. It's healthier, they say.  Well let me tell you,  adding carrots or sweet potatoes to my mutton curry is a surefire way to start a fight in my house. And the bewildered potato is like whaaat? I'm not unhealthy, guys. Here's my profile pic, don't I look good? But studies show that it is how we prepare the potato that actually determines whether it's healthy or not.  I mean try deep-frying carrot sticks or broccoli heads in oil and then top them off with loads of sugary sauces and heaps of salt...

AND IN THIS CORNER, PROTEIN-PACKED BEANS.. The humble bean does not exactly make you drool when seen on the shelves in their dry  unappealing form.  Yet in a well-cooked curry, it is tastier than most meat dishes.   Kids love beans- it gives them an excuse to toot-toot and for all the toot-toot jokes!  Not only is it an excellent source of protein but it is a staple in any diet and there's a variety to choose from. For those hungry stomachs that need to be filled while  you cast a wary eye on your dwindling grocery supply, beans (pulses) are an excellent addition to your cupboard.   So choose a packet of your favourite beans or try different ones and let's cook.  The recipe below can be adapted to suit any beans that you want to cook.  I've used sugar beans to make little bunny chows for supper but you can eat them with roti, rice or bread. DURBAN SUGAR BEANS CURRY You will need: 1 cup dried sugar...