Buñuelos de Yuca [Video+Recipe] Cassava 'Beignets' in Spiced Syrup

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar ((white, granulated))
• 2 star anise
• 2 small sticks of cinnamon
• 1 doz cloves
• 1/2 pound yuca (cassava)
• 4 tablespoons sugar ((white, granulated))
• 1 tablespoon salted butter ((salted))
• 1 egg ((medium))
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 teaspoons salt ((divided))
• 1 1/2 cup oil for frying ((soy, corn or peanut))

Instructions

1. 1

   --- 1. Boil yuca ---

2. 2

   Peel the yuca, chop, and rinse.Place in a small saucepan and boil with a teaspoon of salt. When it's fork-tender (about 15 minutes, depending on size) remove from the heat and discard the water.

3. 3

   --- 2. Making buñuelo batter ---

4. 4

   Making buñuelo batter: Cool yuca to room temperature. Remove and discard the center nerve. Place in the food processor bowl or blender. Add butter, egg, baking powder, 1 teaspoon of salt, and sugar. Blend until it turns into a smooth batter.

5. 5

   --- 3. Chilling ---

6. 6

   Chilling: Pour the batter into a bowl. Cover the bowl and chill the batter for 3 hours in the fridge (or 20 minutes in the freezer).

7. 7

   --- 4. Making syrup ---

8. 8

   Making syrup: While the batter is chilling, mix all the ingredients (sugar, anise, cinnamon, and cloves) with a cup of water and simmer over very low heat until the liquid has reduced to half. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature. Set aside.

9. 9

   --- 5. Frying ---

10. 10

    Frying: Heat oil over medium heat in a 1 qt [1 lt] saucepan. Scoop batter with a small spoon, shape into a roundish ball using a second small spoon. Place it into the hot oil, being careful with hot oil splatters. Scoop 3 more balls and place into the oil.Fry four balls at a time until they turn golden brown all over (turn if needed), and you've used up the batter.Remove from the oil and place on a paper towel to remove excess oil.

11. 11

    --- 6. Serving ---

12. 12

    Serving: Place them still warm into 4 small bowls or dessert glasses, pour equal amount of syrup over them. Serve immediately.