| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 25 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 215 | 10g | 2g | 31g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 14g | 6g | 3g | 0.5g |
Embracing the Bold Flavors of the Outdoors
I wasn’t sure how well a dish like Spicy Cassava Root Salad would match up to the hearty, rustic flavors I’m accustomed to in the Rocky Mountains. However, this vibrant and robust salad turned out to be an unforgettable culinary adventure! This recipe brings the kind of complexity and depth that surprise your taste buds in the best ways possible.
The cassava root provides a satisfying, starchy base that’s both filling and full of earthy flavor. Meanwhile, the blend of ripe mangoes, juicy pineapple chunks, and creamy avocados introduces a delightful sweetness and tang that play well with the spiciness of the chili powder and cayenne pepper. Imagine biting into a forkful of this salad—each piece of cassava bathed in a tangy lime olive oil dressing that’s perfectly balanced by the freshness of cilantro and mint. It’s like taking a refreshing walk through a tropical forest, but on your plate!
A Nutritional Powerhouse
Besides tasting fantastic, the Spicy Cassava Root Salad is a nutritional powerhouse. Cassava is rich in carbohydrates, making it a great energy source, while the other ingredients add vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to the mix. Mangoes are high in Vitamin C, avocados supply healthy fats, and pineapple is renowned for its digestive enzymes and anti-inflammatory properties. All these make the Spicy Cassava Root Salad not just delicious, but also a wise choice for maintaining your health.
My partner, Gordon, always emphasizes the importance of well-being and balanced meals. So, this dish hasn’t just made its mark on our dining table but has also scored high on our list of nutritious go-tos.
Perfect Pairings and Inspirations
The Spicy Cassava Root Salad is quite versatile. It can stand alone as a light meal or accompany proteins like grilled chicken or fish. If you’re a fan of ceviche, you’ll find that the vibrant, tangy flavors in this recipe are right up your alley. Alternatively, it pairs excellently with dishes like a refreshing cucumber-tomato salad or a savory quinoa bowl. For those who adore international flavors, you might see some similarities to Thai green mango salad, but with an intriguing twist!
So why do I love this Spicy Cassava Root Salad so much? It brings together a beautiful array of flavors and textures that remind me of the ever-changing scenery of the great outdoors. It’s balanced, nutritious, and above all, downright delicious. Give it a try—I promise it’ll earn a permanent spot in your culinary repertoire.
What You’ll Need
- 2 lbs cassava root (peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 3 medium ripe mangoes (diced)
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1 small red onion (thinly sliced)
- 2 medium avocados (diced)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Method
Step One
In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add the peeled and cut cassava root pieces. Boil for about 20-30 minutes, or until the cassava becomes tender. Drain and let cool.
Step Two
While the cassava is boiling, prepare the rest of the ingredients. Dice the mangoes, cut the pineapple into chunks, thinly slice the red onion, and dice the avocados.
Step Three
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
Step Four
In a large salad bowl, combine the cooled cassava root pieces, diced mangoes, pineapple chunks, thinly sliced red onion, diced avocados, chopped cilantro, and chopped mint leaves.
Step Five
Pour the dressing over the cassava root salad. Toss gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
Step Six
Serve immediately or refrigerate for an hour to let the flavors meld together. Enjoy your Spicy Cassava Root Salad!
