Llapingachos Recipes

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 (ECUADOREAN POTATO PANCAKES WITH CHEESE SAUCE)

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.

LLAPINGACHOS (POTATO CAKES STUFFED WITH CHEESE)

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.