Llapingachos Ecuatorianos Ecuadorean Potato And Cheese Patties Recipes

LLAPINGACHOS OR ECUADORIAN STUFFED POTATO PATTIES

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.

ECUADORIAN CHEESY POTATO PATTIES

Steps:

• Bring 2 quarts water to boil in large saucepan. Add potatoes; cook 20 min. or until potatoes are tender; drain. Place in large bowl; mash until smooth.
• Heat 2 Tbsp. of the oil in medium skillet on medium heat. Add onions and 1 tsp. of the paprika; cook and stir until onions are tender. Stir into the mashed potatoes; cool. Stir in cheese. Shape evenly into 6 (1-inch-thick) patties.
• Mix remaining 2 Tbsp. oil and 1 tsp. paprika until well blended. Heat large nonstick skillet, griddle or cast iron skillet on medium heat. Brush a little of the oil mixture onto bottom of pan. Add patties; cook 3 minutes or until bottom is crisp and golden brown. Brush tops of patties with remaining oil mixture; turn over. Cook an additional 3 minutes or until crisp and golden brown on both sides. Serve each patty topped with 2 Tbsp. of the Peanut Sauce.

LLAPINGACHOS-POTATO CHEESE PATTIES(ECUADOR)

Steps:

• Place the potatoes in a large saucepan, cover with salted water and bring to a boil, uncovered, over medium-high heat. Cook the potatoes until a knife pierces them easily. Drain the potatoes and set them aside to steam dry for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Mash the potatoes until smooth or put them through a ricer. Season to taste with salt. When cool enough, form 1/3 cup portions of the mashed potatoes into balls and set on a baking sheet. Chill for at least 20 minutes; this will make the patties much easier to handle.
• While the potatoes are chilling, start your maní sauce. Simmer the milk and sliced onion in a small saucepan for about 10 minutes. Do not boil. Strain the onions from the milk and discard. Whisk the peanut butter into the warm milk and season to taste with salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer until thickened, 4 to 5 minutes. The sauce should be the consistency of heavy cream. Add a little more milk or peanut butter as needed. Set aside.
• Remove potatoes from the refrigerator. Mix the cheese and scallions together and stuff each ball with about 1 tablespoon of the mixture. Flatten the balls with your hands to form patties.
• 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.
• Llapingachos Variations:.
• •Coloring: The achiote powder gives the patties an orange color. If you don't have achiote, add a teaspoon or two of paprika. Or just leave it out altogether.
• •Cheese: Ecuadorans typically use a young white cheese called queso blanco for stuffing llapingachos, but you can use Monterey jack or mozzarella.
• •Use finely minced white onion instead of scallions.
• •Mix the cheese and scallions in with the potatoes instead of stuffing them.
• •Add a little cayenne pepper or hot pepper sauce to the to the peanut sauce if you'd like some heat. Or add a little ground cumin for extra flavor.