Cassareep

Jun 06, 2023June 6, 20230 1

Traditional Guyanese Cassareep Recipe

by The Chefin Main

Prep

30 min

Cook

4 hours and 20 min

Ready In

4 hours and 50 min

Level

Difficult

Rating

Ingredients

	4 lbs bitter cassava
	1 inch piece cinnamon stick
	1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
	4 teaspoons dark brown sugar

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

Calories

Sugar

11g

Fat

Cassareep is a sauce that is made from bitter cassava and is a traditional part of Guyanese cuisine. It is often used in dishes such as pepperpot, which is a stew made with beef, pork, cassava, and other vegetables. Cassareep is unique because it requires a long and involved process to make. The cassava root is grated and then pressed to extract the juice. The juice is then simmered until the starch rises to the surface and is skimmed off and used to thicken the sauce. The sauce is then flavored with cinnamon, cloves, and brown sugar and boiled for 20 minutes before being simmered for four hours. The resulting sauce is a deep, rich color and has a distinctive flavor that is sweet, sour, and slightly bitter all at once.

Instructions

1.	Grate the cassava and press out the juice with a cheesecloth.
2.	Put the juice in a pot and let it simmer until there's a layer of starch on the surface. Skim off the starch and mix with some water.
3.	Pour the juice back into the pot and add the cinnamon stick, ground cloves, and brown sugar.
4.	Boil the mixture for 20 minutes and then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 4 hours.
5.	Stir occasionally and add water if the sauce gets too thick.

PROS

Cassareep is a flavorful and unique sauce that is a staple in Guyanese cuisine.
It is gluten-free and can be used in a variety of dishes such as pepperpot, stew, and soup.

CONS

Cassava contains cyanide and must be processed carefully to avoid toxicity.
The dish is time-consuming and requires careful preparation.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Cassava is a good source of nutrients such as vitamin C, folate, potassium, and magnesium. Cassareep can be an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties.