Salvadoran FoodSalvadoran yuca and corn baskets with loroco, red bean cream, and purple cabbage slaw
An original recipe inspired by traditional Salvadoran flavors: small baked yuca and corn baskets mixed with loroco, served with a smooth red bean cream and a fresh slaw of purple cabbage, carrot, and oregano. Crisp on the outside, tender inside, and deeply homestyle.
Ingredients
- 500 g peeled yuca, cut into chunks (for cocer and hacer the base)
- 120 g sweet corn kernels (fresh or descongelados)
- 40 g chopped loroco (fresh or descongelado)
- 80 g white onion, finely chopped (divided)
- 6 g chopped garlic (divided)
- 30 ml vegetable oil (divided)
- 8 g salt (or to taste, divided)
- 2 g ground black pepper (divided)
- 60 g grated hard cheese (for the mezcla of canastitas)
- 50 g egg (beaten)
- 300 g cooked red beans (escurridos, with 60 ml of caldo reservado)
- 60 ml bean broth or water (for licuar the cream)
- 120 ml Salvadoran cream (for the cream of frijol)
- 150 g finely shredded purple cabbage (for the curtido)
- 60 g grated carrot (for the curtido)
- 45 ml white vinegar (for the curtido)
- 30 ml lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 g dried oregano (for the curtido)
- 4 g sugar (for balancear the curtido)
- 60 g radishes, thinly sliced (for servir)
- 8 g chopped fresh cilantro (for terminar)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 220 °C / 425 °F. Lightly grease a muffin pan or 4 individual molds with a little of the vegetable oil.
- 2
Place the yuca in a pot with enough water and a pinch of salt. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, until very tender. Drain well, remove any tough center fibers, and mash the yuca into a smooth puree.
- 3
While the yuca cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté half of the white onion and half of the garlic for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the sweet corn kernels and chopped loroco; cook 3 minutes more. Season with a little salt and black pepper. Remove from the heat.
- 4
Mix the yuca puree with the corn and loroco sauté, the grated hard cheese, and the beaten egg. Adjust with part of the remaining salt and black pepper until you have a firm, moldable mixture.
- 5
Divide the mixture among the molds, pressing it into the base and sides to form small baskets. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes at 220 °C / 425 °F, until the edges are golden and lightly crisp.
- 6
For the red bean cream, heat the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Sauté the rest of the white onion and the rest of the garlic for 2 minutes. Add the cooked red beans and the bean broth or water; cook for 3 minutes.
- 7
Transfer the bean mixture to a blender with the Salvadoran cream. Blend until smooth. Return the cream to the saucepan and cook over low heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often. Season with the remaining salt and black pepper.
- 8
For the slaw, combine the purple cabbage, grated carrot, white vinegar, lime juice, dried oregano, sugar, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Massage lightly with your hands and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- 9
Carefully unmold the yuca and corn baskets. Serve each one over a layer of red bean cream or with the cream on the side. Top with some slaw, the thinly sliced radishes, and chopped fresh cilantro.
- 10
Serve immediately while the baskets are still hot and the bean cream is warm.
Chef tips
If the yuca mixture feels too moist, let it rest for 5 minutes before shaping. For more color, you can brown the baskets for 2 extra minutes under the broiler, watching closely.
Substitutions
You can substitute the hard cheese with grated firm fresh cheese. If you cannot find loroco, use a small amount of finely chopped green beans and an extra pinch of oregano, though the flavor will be different. Salvadoran cream can be replaced with mild sour cream.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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