"Yuca al Mojo" Cassava with Garlic Sauce

Cassava or Yucca is known as "Yuca"(eu-kah) in Spanish and belongs to the Tropical Veggie Root family like sweet potatoes and yams. People from Latin America and the Caribbean cook Cassava in many different ways. The most famous dishes in Puerto Rico are "Yuca" fritters and boiled "Yuca al Mojo" (moh- ho). This starchy veggie has a mild flavor so try to combine it with spices or curries. If you live in the United States or Canada you can find Cassava in the freezer isle at an Asian grocery store or Hispanic/Latino market. Yucca is a good source of Carbohydrates for people on a gluten-free diet. So next time you throw a dinner party, surprise your guests with this tasty Puerto Rican style dish. Enjoy it guys. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

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Recipe: (2 servings)

Boiled Veggie:
2 Cassava or Yucca
Do not defrost the Cassava. Place it in a pot with cold water. Bring it to a boil until tender.

"Mojo" Sauce:
1 onion
1 orange pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup cooking oil
1/4 cup vinegar
3 slices of elephant garlic
3 or 4 bay leaves
sea salt to taste
black peppercorns
red pepper flakes

In a saucepan pour cooking oil and olive oil. Add onions and orange peppers. Pour vinegar and add bay leaves, black peppercorns, garlic and red pepper flakes. Add sea salt to the mixture and heat it up for 15 to 20 minutes until the veggies are cooked.

Filling:
2 thick tomato slices (add ground pepper, put it in pan and sauté until the slices have browned.)
1 avocado ( cut it in slices)

Balsamic Reduction:
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tsp organic molasses
1 tsp organic ground ginger
red pepper flakes to taste

In a saucepan pour balsamic vinegar, molasses syrup, add ground ginger and red pepper flakes. Heat it up and stir until the liquid turns into a glaze.