Yuca is a boring root vegetable, a bit like turnip. But when you add garlic and lemon dip it's transformed into a creamily textured and deliciously different vegetable.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds yuca, peeled, halved and cut into chunks
• 5 cloves garlic, mashed into 1 teaspoon salt
• juice of a lemon
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2 small onions, chopped finely

Method

1. Put the yuca in a saucepan and add water until the yuca is just covered.
2. Add the salt, and bring the pan to a boil.
3. Reduce heat, cover and simmer the pan for approximately 30 minutes, until the yuca is tender.
4. Drain the pan and remove any 'woody' parts from the center of the yuca.
5. Mash the garlic cloves into the salt with mortar and pestle.
6. Add garlic, lemon juice and onions to the olive oil in a separate pan and heat until bubbling, then pour the mixture over the yuca.
7. Toss the yuca and all ingredients lightly while continuing to sauté over medium heat until lightly browned.