Ecuadorian Cheesy Potato 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 (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.

LLAPINGACHOS ECUATORIANOS (ECUADOREAN POTATO-AND-CHEESE PATTIES)

Steps:

• Place 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and potatoes in a saucepan, and cover with water.
• Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until tender.
• Drain, and mash with a potato masher until smooth.
• Cool.
• Add cheese, green onions, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to potato mixture, stirring well.
• Divide potato mixture into 6 balls (about 1/2 cup per ball).
• Flatten balls into 1/2-inch-thick patties (about 3-inch diameter).
• Place on a baking sheet; cover and refrigerate 20 minutes or until firm.
• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
• Place potato-and-cheese patties in pan; cook 5 minutes or until bottoms are browned.
• Turn patties; cook 3 minutes.
• Top patties with tomato and red onion.