Pampas Cassava Pie with Paprika Beef and Creamy Corn Center

Name: Pampas Cassava Pie with Paprika Beef and Creamy Corn Center
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 85 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Argentina
Ingredients: 2.6 lb peeled cassava in chunks; 1 3/4 tsp salt; 3 tbsp butter; 3/4 cup milk; 4 oz grated criollo cheese; 1.1 lb ground beef; 1 1/2 cups onion; 1 cup red bell pepper; 2 cloves garlic; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 tsp sweet paprika; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp dried oregano; 2/3 cup crushed tomato; 1/3 cup green olives; 2 cups corn kernels; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1 tbsp cornstarch; 1 tbsp water; 1 unit egg; 1/4 cup fresh parsley; 1/2 tsp black pepper

An original Argentine-inspired savory pie with a creamy cassava base and topping, filled with paprika-seasoned beef, onion, and olives, plus a soft creamy corn center finished with melted cheese.

35 minPrep

50 minCook

85 minTotal

6Servings

High Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

1.2 kg peeled cassava in chunks (for the puree of base and cubierta)
10 g salt (divided, or a taste)
40 g butter (for the puree of mandioca)
180 ml milk (tibia)
120 g grated criollo cheese (divided)
500 g ground beef (preferentemente with algo of grasa)
200 g onion (chopped diced small)
120 g red bell pepper (chopped diced small)
8 g garlic (chopped)
30 ml olive oil (divided)
6 g sweet paprika
2 g ground cumin
1 g dried oregano (divided)
150 g crushed tomato
50 g green olives (chopped)
300 g corn kernels (fresh or congelados)
120 ml heavy cream
8 g cornstarch
15 ml water (for disolver the almidón)
1 unit egg (lightly beaten)
10 g fresh parsley (chopped)
1 g black pepper (or a taste)

Nutrition facts

per serving

583 kcal

Calories

27 g

Protein

41 g

Carbs

34 g

Fat

4 g

Fiber

37 g

Net carbs

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

DairyEggs

Instructions

1
1. Place the cassava in a large pot, cover with water, and add half of the salt. Bring to a boil and cook for 25 to 30 minutes, until very tender. Drain, remove any tough inner fibers, and mash the cassava while still hot.
2
2. Add the butter, warm milk, egg, 60 g (2 oz) of the grated criollo cheese, and a pinch of black pepper to the mashed cassava. Mix until you get a thick, smooth mash. Keep warm.
3
3. While the cassava cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and red bell pepper and cook for 5 minutes until they start to soften. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute more.
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 sweet paprika, ground cumin, half of the dried oregano, the remaining salt, and black pepper.
5
5. Add the crushed tomato and green olives. Cook over medium heat for 6 minutes, until the filling is juicy but not watery. Turn off the heat and stir in the fresh parsley. Set aside.
6
6. In another skillet or small saucepan, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the corn kernels and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream, the rest of the dried oregano, and a pinch of salt.
7
7. Dissolve the cornstarch in the water and add it to the creamy corn. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring, until thick and smooth. Remove from the heat.
8
8. Preheat the oven to 200 °C / 400 °F. Lightly grease a medium baking dish with a little oil if desired.
9
9. Spread half of the cassava mash over the bottom of the baking dish. Cover with all of the beef filling and level it. Spread the creamy corn over the beef as a center layer. Top with the remaining cassava mash.
10
10. Sprinkle the remaining 60 g (2 oz) grated criollo cheese on top. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes at 200 °C / 400 °F, until heated through and golden on the surface.
11
11. Let the pie rest for 10 minutes before serving so it firms up and slices more easily.

Chef tips

If the cassava feels too dry when mashed, add 1 or 2 extra tablespoons of warm milk. For deeper browning, finish under the broiler for 2 minutes, watching carefully.

Substitutions

You can replace criollo cheese with firm mozzarella or tybo cheese. The ground beef can be swapped for ground pork, and the heavy cream for a plant-based cooking cream, although the final flavor will change.

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 image
Ninja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
View on Amazon
Illustrative image
Cosori 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
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Illustrative image
TempPro 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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