Cassava Stuffed Tamales and Dolmas

I must admit, cassava is not a favorite at home, so, I don't go looking for it at the market and I don't  cook it often. Every once in a while (perhaps once a year), when it seems available at a reasonable price, I do give it a try to see if our tastes have changed. No such luck this year, we still seem to not be able to accept it without reservations.

Anyway, to keep things interesting, some of the cassava got incorporated into a rather unconventional filling for tamales and dolmas.

A bag of corn husks were handy in the pantry. The fresh green grape leaves were hanging off their vines in the backyard. A bag of coconut flour was waiting to be used up. And the cassava made a plea to be accepted with open arms.

Mushed cooked cassava, plus a few tablespoons of coconut flour just enough to make a cohesive filling is all there is to the stuffing. Some herbs and flavoring as the mood calls for, of course. I went with some annatto/achiote seasoning. Some chopped up broccoli, onions, and peppers for extra texture.

Simply wrap up the filling and steam for about 30 minutes. Lightly saute the dolma before serving, if preferred.

Cassava and Purple Kohlrabi in Coconut Cumin Yogurt Sauce

The texture of cassava reminded me of chena, Elephant foot yam, a staple in my mom's kitchen when it is in season. My mom's famous chena-elavan koottu is an all-time favorite. I haven't had it in ages, as I can't find Elephant foot yam in my neighborhood markets. But, when I made the cassava fries, I thought it might be worthwhile to try cassava as a substitute for chena in this recipe.

The coconut-cumin yogurt sauce is pretty standard in south Indian cooking, Palakkad-style.

The purple kohlrabi that came in the CSA basket was handy, along with all the kohlrabi, radish, and chard leaves I had saved.

Mung beans, aka Moong dal, adds body and protein to this packed-with-goodness veggie dish that can be served as-is or with some perfectly done brown rice.

Ingredients
1 small kohlrabi diced
2 to 3 cups chopped radish, chard, and kohlrabi greens
1 cup diced cassava
¼ cup spit yelllow moong dal
1 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp turmeric powder
salt to taste

For the Coconut-Cumin Yogurt Sauce:
1 to 1½ cups thick plain yogurt, beaten till smooth
¼ cup dry grated unsweetened coconut
3 dry red chilies
1 Tablespoon cumin seeds

Tempering: (optional but recommended for enhancing flavors)
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
½ tsp black mustard seeds
¼ tsp cumin seeds

Preparation

1. Combine the vegetables in a pan, along with mung beans, turmeric, and brown sugar, add enough water, cover, and allow to simmer till vegetables and mung beans are tender but not mushy
2. Meanwhile, combine the coconut, chilies, cumin seeds in a blender or food processor and grind to a fine powder
3. When veggies are cooked, stir in the coconut-cumin-chilies mixture, adjust salt to taste, simmer gently for a few more minutes till well incorporated, then turn off heat
4. Allow to cool slightly before folding in the beaten yogurt
5. Tempering: Heat oil in a pan, when it shimmers add the mustard seeds, when that pops add in cumin seeds and turn off heat; pour this tempering over the dish just before serving, stir well

Cassava Fries

These pan-fried cassava sticks are easy to make. With some dipping sauces, they are a fun alternative to potato fries. Since cassava is quite a bit more expensive than potatoes and hard to find sometimes, I don't make this often. Every once in a while (more like once a year or so), I pick up one large piece from the market and make it a special occasion to incorporate it into dinners. It is not yet a favorite with any of us at home, but why should that stop me from cooking it, right? Be open to trying new things is the mantra at home.

Simply, peel and cut into sticks. Heat oil in a cast iron skillet, add these cut cassava in a single layer, allow to crisp on one side. Then flip and crisp on other sides as preferred. Splash water as needed and cover and allow to steam-cook till tender enough to your liking. Season with salt and chili powder.