Ecuador Bound

Llapingachos (yah-peen-GAH-chos) or Ecuadorian Potato Patties

These potato patties or stuffed potato pancakes are a popular side dish in Ecuador. They are often served with fried eggs and a simple lettuce, tomato and avocado salad and pickled onion. Sausages and a side of rice are often added to make a full meal. Don’t forget the ever tasty peanut sauce and the hot sauce.

I personally adore potato patties/pancakes. Add the cheese and the chives/scallions and they are heaven.

Ingredients (patties):

5-6 Russet potatoes (or a potato that is very starchy)
2 Tbsp. Achiote molido (ground annatto seed) or paprika to color
2 Tbsp. sunflower oil (or your favorite cooking oil for browning)
2½ cup white onion or 6 Scallions (finely chopped) – I love both
1 cup queso blanco, Mozzarella, Monterey Jack or Fontina cheese (white cheese of your choice, shredded or grated)
pinch of salt — to taste

Ingredients (salsa de maní or peanut sauce):

Traditionally, the sauce is made with fresh roasted peanuts and not jar peanut butter, but this is the quick way.

1/3 cup peanut butter (unsweetened or natural)
1/4 cup white onion (thinly sliced)
1 1/2 cups milk
Salt and pepper — to taste

Directions:

1. Place the potatoes in a lg. saucepan, cover with water and bring to a boil, add salt as desired. Cook uncovered on med-hi heat until they are soft. Drain the potatoes and set them aside to cool off for a few minutes.

2. Mash the potatoes until smooth adding salt to season. When it is cool enough to work with form 1/3 cup portions of the mashed potatoes into balls and set on a cookie sheet. Chill for at least 30 minutes in the fridge. This step will save you some time and they won’t fall apart.

3. While the potatoes are chilling, start your maní sauce (go to step 4 if you are not using sauce). Simmer the milk (not to a boil) and onion slices in a sm. saucepan for about 10 minutes. Remove the onions from the sauce and toss out. Whisk the peanut butter into the milk and add salt to season. Now bring the sauce to a boil and reduce to simmer until sauce is thick (like heavy cream), approx. 4-5 minutes. If not thick enough add more peanut butter, if too thick add more milk. Set sauce aside until the patties are done.

4. Turn oven on warm to keep patties until you are done. Remove your potato balls from the fridge. Mix the cheese and onions or scallions together and stuff each ball with about 1 tablespoon of the mixture. Flatten the balls with your palms to form individual patties.

5. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the patties, a few at a time, until browned on each side. Remove to a warm oven until all patties have been sautéed. Serve topped with the salsa de maní (peanut sauce).

The rationing of electricity in Ecuador is only temporary until next Saturday.

According to The Wall Street Journal: “Ecuador on Thursday started rationing electricity for between two and six hours a day until Saturday…”

After Saturday, the Ecuadorian government will decide whether to continue with the rationing mandate, depending on the gravity of the situation.

The use of rationing electricity started yesterday by the people of Ecuador. A drought in the southern Andes of Ecuador has led, in recent weeks, to a “drastic reduction” in the flow volume of water entering the reservoir of the hydroelectric plant of Paute.

These measures are seemingly only for a limited time, however, as they are scheduled only to be undergone up until next Saturday. The lack of water that is used to fuel the hydro electric plant is what is causing this major issue to take effect.

This is just another example of our depleting resources across the globe and ways we can counteract with some sort of solution. In Venezuela they had had a lower amount of water in their reservoirs also, and I had read that they were requested to take “3 minute” showers to help this situation out. The capital city of Caracas began rationing electricity and water in recent weeks. In Florida, where my mother lives, she can only water her grass on certain days of the week and at certain times of the day.

I have enacted a rule in my house for the use/abuse of water in the toilet to: “If it is yellow — let it mellow & if it is brown — flush it down.” Now, I know that may be a familiar term to some of you, I stole it from a movie, I think it was “Meet the Fockers.” I also watch myself washing the dishes, I turn the volume of water down. I also do my part with the washing machine & only do full loads and wash in cold when I can. When brushing my teeth I try to remember to turn the water off in-between my toothbrush rinsing.