**Llaingachos: A Taste of Ecuadorian Delight**
Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Ecuador with llaingachos, a traditional dish that tantalizes taste buds with its unique blend of flavors and textures. These potato cakes, also known as potato empanadas, are a symphony of crispy exteriors and soft, cheesy interiors. Picture perfectly golden-brown exteriors encasing a delectable filling of seasoned mashed potatoes, gooey cheese, and a surprise burst of flavor from finely chopped green onions.
This article presents a comprehensive guide to crafting the perfect llaingachos, featuring two distinct recipes for both traditional and vegetarian variations. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary adventure, these step-by-step instructions and helpful tips will equip you to recreate this Ecuadorian delicacy in your own kitchen. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and let's dive into the world of llaingachos, where every bite is a celebration of Ecuadorian heritage.
LLAPINGACHOS OR ECUADORIAN STUFFED POTATO PATTIES
Llapingachos are potato patties or pancakes stuffed with cheese, cooked on a hot griddle until crispy brown and served with peanut sauce, fried egg, tomato and onion curtido, avocado slices and hot sauce.
Provided by Layla Pujol
Categories Appetizer Breakfast Brunch Side Dish
Time 2h
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Boil the potatoes until soft.
- Heat the oil over medium high heat to make a refrito, add the onions and achiote, cook until the onions are soft, about 5 minutes.
- Mash the potatoes, mix in the onion refrito and salt to taste.
- Cover the potato dough and let it sit at room temperature for about an hour.
- Make small golf size balls with the potato dough.
- Make a hole in the middle of each ball and fill with the grated or crumbled cheese.
- Shape the dough into thick patties and let rest in the refrigerator for about ½ to 1 hour.
- Cook the patties on a hot griddle until browned on each side, be careful when turning them as they will be very delicate.
- Serve with a fried egg, peanut sauce, tomato and onion curtido, avocado slices and hot sauce.
LLAPINGACHOS (POTATO CAKES STUFFED WITH CHEESE)
Llapingachos are popular in the highlands of Equador. Potato patties filled with cheese and fried to a golden brown. YUM. They can be used as an appetizer, a snack or as a side dish. They are often served with fried eggs and a simple salad of lettuce, tomato and avocado. Sometimes sausages and a side of rice are added to make a full and typically Ecuadorian meal. Found on the internet and posted for ZWT 7 Note: Do NOT deep fry these! They will fall apart - the instructions are for pan frying.
Provided by K9 Owned
Categories Potato
Time 50m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Boil the potatoes and mash (You may also use leftover mashed potatoes made without milk and butter).
- Sautee onion in oil until soft, remove from pan and add to mashed potatoes.
- When the potaotoes have cooled down beat the egg yolk and mix in to the potatoes.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Form into equal sized balls and poke a hole in the middle of each ball stuffing each hole with cheese. Seal.
- Flatten each ball in to patties and chill for 30 minutes (This makes them less likely to spread when frying).
- Add oil to a medium hot frying pan and sautee until golden and crispy outside and heated thoughout.
- note: You can also just mix the shredded cheese in to the potato mixture but I like the gooey 'surprise' in the middle.
- Queso Blanco is the traditional cheese used but Monteray Jack or mozzarella may be substituted.
- Prep time does not include chilling time.
- Cooking time will depend on the size of your pan and number of batches being made. 5 minutes per side seems to do the job.
LLAPINGACHOS (ECUADOREAN POTATO PANCAKES)
Steps:
- Gather the ingredients.
- Put the potatoes in a steamer basket over a large pot filled 2/3 of the way to the top with water (make sure water isn't touching the bottom of the steamer basket).
- Heat the water over medium heat until it is boiling, cover with a lid, and steam the potatoes until they are tender when pierced with a fork, 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes. Check occasionally and refill the water level in the pot as needed.
- Remove from the heat, cut each potato in half, and let them cool until they can be handled.
- Heat 1 to 2 tablespoons of the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add the Goya seasoning and cook, stirring frequently, for several minutes more. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Peel the potatoes and press them into a ricer or mash them until smooth. Add the seasoned onion to the potatoes and mix well. Add the cheese and mix well.
- Season the potato mixture with salt and pepper to taste. The potato mixture should be firm enough to shape pieces of it into balls, like dough. If the mixture is too wet and sticky, mix in some flour until it has the right consistency.
- Shape the potato mixture into round patties, about 3 inches in diameter and about 1/2 inch thick.
- Heat the remaining oil, or as much as needed, in a heavy skillet.
- Cook the potato pancakes in batches over medium-low heat, about 3 minutes per side, until they are golden brown.
- Keep the potato pancakes warm in the oven, about 200 F, until ready to serve.
- Serve with salsa de mani and enjoy.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 389 kcal, Carbohydrate 54 g, Cholesterol 14 mg, Fiber 5 g, Protein 10 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 351 mg, Sugar 5 g, Fat 15 g, ServingSize 6 servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g
ECUADOREAN POTATO CAKES (LLAPINGACHOS)
Make and share this Ecuadorean Potato Cakes (Llapingachos) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by KlynnPadilla
Categories Potato
Time 45m
Yield 8 potato cakes, 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Peel potatoes and cut into 1-inch pieces. Cover with cold water in a medium pot, stir in 1 teaspoons salt and simmer until very tender, about 18 minutes.
- Drain potatoes, then mash in a bowl.
- Cook scallions with 1/4 teaspoons each salt and pepper in 2 tablespoons annatto oil over med. heat, stirring, until scallions are softened, then stir into potatoes along with cheese. Form mixture into 8 balls and flatten each into a 3-inch patty.
- Heat 1 tablespoons annatto oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over med.-high until hot, then fry cakes in 2 batches, turning over once, until crusty, about 6 minute per batch. add remaining oil for second batch.
LLAPINGACHOS (ECUADOREAN POTATO PANCAKES WITH CHEESE SAUCE)
A delightful specialty from Equador's highlands, found in a book of "Inca country" recipes. Perfect comfort food! Makes an extremely satisfying meal with a good avocado salad...I guarantee you won't miss meat, and I'm a die-hard carnivore myself. (Just as good with low-fat cream cheese, btw.)
Provided by Norse
Categories Potato
Time 5h
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Peel and dice potatoes.
- Boil in salted water until very tender.
- Save ½ deciliter (about 1/4 cup) of the boiling water.
- Mash potatoes evenly and add boiling water, turmeric/annatto and chopped onion.
- Salt to taste.
- Cover with a tea towel and leave in a warm place for at least three hours.
- Prepare cheese sauce while mash is resting.
- CHEESE SAUCE: Mix chopped red onion well with salt and leave for 20 minutes.
- Rinse onion in cold water, then add lemon juice and sugar.
- Chop tomato and eggs finely.
- Put cream cheese in a pot, and add milk until the sauce is like thin mayonnaise.
- Heat slowly.
- Stir in tomato, eggs and onion, plus salt and pepper to taste--I add a little extra lemon juice as well to take some of the"heaviness" out of the sauce.
- Serve at room temperature or warm, not hot.
- While sauce is cooling, add mozzarella to potato mix.
- Roll the"dough" into small balls by hand, wetting your hands a little between each.
- Flatten balls into patties approximately.
- 1 cm thick and 6 cm in diameter.
- Brush pan with oil (not too much) and fry at medium heat until crisp and golden.
- Brush upside of each pancake with oil before flipping the cakes VERY GENTLY.
- Don't undercook, or they'll fall apart.
- Serve hot and fresh with cheese sauce and a salad.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 810.5, Fat 54.7, SaturatedFat 33.3, Cholesterol 261.3, Sodium 2371.3, Carbohydrate 56.5, Fiber 6.5, Sugar 6, Protein 26.2
Tips:
- Choose the right potatoes: Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes are best for llapingachos, as they have a high starch content that helps to hold the cakes together.
- Boil the potatoes until they are very soft: This will make them easier to mash and form into cakes.
- Season the mashed potatoes well: Salt, pepper, and garlic powder are all essential seasonings for llapingachos.
- Use a good quality cheese: A sharp cheddar or queso fresco are both good choices for the filling.
- Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the llapingachos: This will prevent them from cooking evenly.
- Serve the llapingachos hot with your favorite toppings: Salsa, sour cream, and avocado are all popular choices.
Conclusion:
Llapingachos are a delicious and easy-to-make Ecuadorian dish that is perfect for any occasion. They are a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes, and they can be customized to your liking with different fillings and toppings. So next time you're looking for a new recipe to try, give llapingachos a try!
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