Yuca Fries with Chimichurri
This Spanish fried goodness was whipped together with a simple chimichurri sauce and served with roasted chicken. Tasting the chimichurri, I was immediately transported back to a fond memory of "food exposure" and I was in love all over again. But, what was more curious was this golden fried god-rod called yuca. Hot out of the oil and salted....wow! A new food nirvana!
Equipment
- Stock Pot
- Fryer or heavy duty skillet for frying
- Slotted spoon
- Chef's knife
- Cutting Board
- Paper towels
Ingredients
For the Yuca
- 3 lbs yuca root peeled and cut into steak fries
- 1 gallon water salted for boiling
- 4 cups canola oil for frying
- 3 tbsp Kosher salt use after frying yuca
For the Chimichurri
- 1 bunch cilantro washed and roughly chopped
- 5 each garlic cloves finely minced
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
- 1/4 cup Seasoned rice vinegar plus 2 tablespoons
- 1 each lime juiced
Instructions
- Gather ingredients. Bring salted water in stock pot to a boil.
- Peel the waxy outer layer and the secondary white, fibrous layer of the yuca root.
- Cut yuca into steak fry size sticks; roughly 1 1/2 inches by 3 inches.
- Add yuca fries to salted, boiling water and cook for 15-20 minutes or until yuca is tender but not falling apart. Some outer layers may come off during this first
- While yuca is cooking in boiling water, prepare the chimichurri sauce using the remaining 5 ingredients (use more or less chili flake based on your heat preference). Set aside.
- Once yuca is tender, remove from water and drain on paper towels. Heat up oil to prepare yuca for frying. Ensure the yuca is dried very well to avoid oil splashes.
- Add yuca fries to hot oil one at a time. Fry until golden, about 5-7 minutes. Remove immediately to paper towels to drain and sprinkle with Kosher salt.
- Prepare presentation dish. Stack yuca or use a cup to serve yuca in. Sprinkle with chimichurri sauce and serve extra on the side for dipping. These can also be served plain.
Notes
These yuca fries are perfect for grilled meats, burgers and roasted chicken. The chimichurri sauce is also a perfect marinade for grilled meats as well as a lovely dipping sauce for fried seafood, chicken and of course, YUCA FRIES!