Grate the yams by hand or with a the food processor.Place onion, 1/2 tsp salt, and oil in a frying pan and sweat the onions on low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occastionally. Add the four spices and stir fry for a minute.Add the meat, if using it, and brown it.Add the grated yam and continuously stir for 2 minutes. Add 1/4 cup water, cover the pan, simmer until done, about 15 minutes.Check now and then to make sure the water hasn’t all steamed off. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.Egg option: Once the yams are cooked, crack the eggs and stir them into the yams to make a scramble.Serve with a pile of mixed greens, steamed asparagus or broccoli and almond flatbreads.  (Recipe #567)