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Bizcochos de achira
Achira starch cheese biscuits
Bizcochos de achira: crunchy little Huila and Tolima biscuits of achira starch and cheese, gluten free
Achira is a canna plant whose root gives a fine, silky starch, and in Huila and Tolima it becomes bizcochos: crunchy, cheesy little sticks and rings that dissolve on the tongue. They are sold in long plastic bags at roadside stands near Neiva, Altamira and the Magdalena valley, and they travel everywhere as a snack with coffee or a cold drink. Look for achira flour in Colombian shops; arrowroot powder is the nearest substitute, while tapioca starch gives a chewier result. The cheese is traditionally a dry, aged curd made with animal rennet, so pick a vegetarian hard cheese. The usual mistake is pulling them from the oven too early: they look done but go soft as they cool. Chef's tip: bake them right through until dry and only lightly coloured; they should snap cleanly once cold.
- Total time
- 55 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
- 1 ⅛ lb achira starchsold as achira flour; or arrowroot powder
- 9 oz dry salty white cheesefinely grated (queso costeño, or vegetarian pecorino-style); traditionally made with animal rennet; use a vegetarian (microbial-rennet) cheese
- 4 oz buttersoft
- 2 eggs
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ cup whole milkas needed
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Heat the oven to 350°F and line two baking trays.
Step 3: Add 9 oz dry salty white cheese, 1 ⅛ lb achira starch and ½ tsp salt and knead into a crumbly mixture. Add ¼ cup whole milk a little at a time until it forms a smooth, firm dough that doesn't crack when rolled.
Step 4: Roll pieces of dough into finger-thick ropes and cut into 6 cm sticks, or join into small rings. Set them on the trays.
Step 5: Bake until they are dry, crisp and just pale gold at the edges.
25 minStep 6: Switch off the oven, open the door a crack and leave them inside for 10 minutes to dry fully. Cool completely before storing airtight.
10 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 430 kcal
- Protein
- 10 g
- Carbs
- 52 g
- Fat
- 21 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does bizcochos de achira take?
- About 55 minutes in total: 25 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
- What can I use instead of eggs?
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg, left for 5 minutes (baking only; vegan).
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