World-wide, cassava flour is rapidly becoming the “go-to” gluten-free, grain-free flour. It’s being hailed as the perfect replacement flour in most recipes – especially as it replaces wheat flour 1:1.
When you consider that those of us following a gluten-free diet have to blend several different flours to achieve anything remotely resembling the consistency and texture of wheat flour – often ending up with chewy leaden results – it hard not to pin all our culinary hopes on Cassava. We’re so longing for light and fluffy!
Cassava Baking Demo Event
Health Riot’s founders, Valeska and Christiaan Heydenrych held their first baking demonstration with Chef Jason Whitehead last week and NEO Trading was there to find out if cassava flour really is everything they’re saying it is. The setting was gorgeous – an exquisite private home on the beautiful Ruyterplaats Estate in Hout Bay.
On arrival we were greeted with a glass of Stellar Organics Chardonnay/Pinot Noir sparkling wine and platters of delicious canapes made with cassava bread as the base with assorted toppings. There were also cassava pancakes (my personal favourite) rolled with smoked salmon, cream cheese, cut into rounds and topped with wasabi mayo. The pancake texture was … well, just exactly like pancakes as we know them and the combination of ingredients gave them an appealing sushi look and feel.
The best pizza base
Valeska opened the demo by describing their discovery of cassava in Mauritius (much to their joy as their children are gluten intolerant) and their subsequent quest for the best quality cassava world-wide. Chef Jason then began his baking demo – starting with cassava brownies sweetened with dates and xylitol – before moving on to pizzas.
The brownies were luscious and moist, but it was the pizzas which stole the show. Thin bases, crisp round the edges, they were so so good! This is by far the best gluten-free pizza base I’ve tasted. Sadly, they’re not making the recipe available to the general public as Health Riot are wanting to keep it proprietary for potential commercial use. Yes, it’s that good!
Premium Cassava Flour Available now!
So we’re thrilled to announce the launch of Health Riot’s Premium Cassava Flour. You no longer have to sacrifice taste or texture for your health. Health Riot’s Premium Cassava Flour has the same fluffy texture and mild neutral flavour of ordinary wheat flour. So when it comes to Grandma’s chocolate cake, now you can indulge without the bulge! Here’s what you need to know about Cassava:
- Health Riot’s Cassava flour is GMO-, gluten-, grain- and nut-free
- Cassava flour is not the same as tapioca flour. (Cassava comes from the whole root which is simply peeled, dried and ground. Tapioca is the evaporated starch which has been extracted from the pulp of the cassava root)
- Yes, Cassava flour is high in carbs. Therefore not suitable for those following a low-carb diet.
- Of all gluten-free flours, cassava is the most similar to wheat flour
Available in all good health stores now, it’s retailing at R95.00 incl vat per 450g pack. You’ll find yummy recipes here.
The NEO team (from left) Nadine (Sales), Charmaine (Sales), Nina (Content writer) with Chef Jason Whitehead.
