Golden Yuca Pie with Spiced Beef, Creamy Black Beans, and Fresh Avocado Cilantro Sauce

Instructions

1. 1

   1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C / 400 °F. Lightly grease a medium baking dish.

2. 2

   2. Cook the yuca in a pot with enough water and 1 teaspoon of salt for 20 to 25 minutes, until very tender. Drain, remove any tough inner fibers, and mash with the butter, milk, and a pinch of black pepper until thick and smooth. Set aside.

3. 3

   3. While the yuca cooks, heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the white onion, red bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.

4. 4

   4. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink. Stir in the cumin, dried oregano, smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and half of the black pepper.

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   5. Add the tomato paste and the beef broth or water. Cook 4 to 5 minutes more until the filling is moist but not runny. Mix in 2 tablespoons of the chopped cilantro and the juice of 1 lime. Remove from the heat.

6. 6

   6. In a small saucepan, combine the cooked black beans with 60 ml / 1/4 cup water, a pinch of salt, and 2 tablespoons of cooked white onion taken from the sauté if desired, or simply 1 tablespoon of red onion. Cook over low heat for 5 to 7 minutes, lightly mashing some of the beans so they become creamy. Keep warm.

7. 7

   7. For the sauce, blend or mash the avocado with the plain yogurt, water, the remaining chopped cilantro, the juice of the other lime, the red onion, and a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy.

8. 8

   8. Assemble the pie by spreading half of the yuca mash in the baking dish. Evenly distribute the beef filling on top. Cover with the remaining yuca mash and finish with the crumbled fresh cheese.

9. 9

   9. Bake at 200 °C / 400 °F for 20 minutes. For extra color, broil for 2 to 3 more minutes, watching closely, until the top is golden around the edges.

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    10. Let the pie rest for 5 minutes out of the oven. Serve each portion with creamy black beans and a generous spoonful of avocado cilantro sauce on top or on the side.