Pichi Pichi Recipe
These chewy, coconut-coated cassava bites are the kind of Filipino party essential one would slide onto a tasting menu without blinking.
Servings: 14 Servings
Calories: 155kcal
Cost: $4
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups cassava grated. (if using frozen, squeeze and drain the extra fluid)
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon lye water
Optional Extracts:
- ½ teaspoon pandan extract
- ⅛ teaspoon ube extract
Topping:
- 2 cups coconut meat grated
Instructions
- Unless using frozen pre-grated cassava, peel and grease the cassava using the small-shred side of a box grater.
- Place the steamer over medium heat. Combine the grated cassava, water, sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and lye water in a large mixing bowl.
- If using pandan and/or ube extract, divide the batter into 3 portions, leave one plain, and add the extracts to each of the other portions. Stir until the mixtures with the extracts are uniform in color.
- Prepare individual molds or small ramekins by lightly brushing them with oil. Fill the molds two-thirds full with the cassava mixture (about 3 tablespoons each).
- Arrange the molds in a steamer basket, leaving space between each for steam circulation. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and steam for 50-55 minutes, or until the mixture becomes translucent and the consistency of firm jelly. Remove from the steamer and allow to cool completely in the molds.
- Loosen each portion from the mold using a thin offset spatula or the tip of a paring knife and transfer to a serving plate.
- Before serving, roll each piece in grated coconut meat until fully coated.
Notes
🍠 Cassava Squeeze Play:
Remove excess water from thawed cassava to prevent soggy, fragile cakes.
💨 Steam It Real Good:
Keep a steady, gentle steam going so the cassava cooks evenly and stays splash-free.
🧊 Cool Hand Cassava:
Let the cakes cool fully before unmolding for perfect shape and texture.
💦 Lye, Lye Baby:
Measure lye water precisely to nail that bouncy chew without tipping into rubbery territory. Be very careful not to let the lye water come in direct contact with your skin.
Nutrition
Calories: 155kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 50mg | Potassium: 141mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 5IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.4mg