Llapingachos Potato Cakes Filled With Cheese Food

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.

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.

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.

ECUADOREAN POTATO CAKES WITH PEANUT SAUCE (LLAPINGACHOS)

Steps:

• Peel potatoes and cut into 1 inch pieces. Cover with cold water add salt and simmer til very tender.
• While potatoes boil, cook garlic and 1/3 cup scallions in 2 tbs of annatto oil in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until softened about 2 minutes.
• Stir in cumin and 1/4 tsp pepper and cook 1 minute. Add tomato and cook stirring 2 minutes.
• Add milk and bring to a bare simmer, then remove from heat and stir in peanut butter until well combined. Keep covered and warm off heat.
• Drain and mash potatoes. Cook remaining 1/2 cup of scallions with 1/4 tsp salt and pepper in 2 tbs of annatto oil until softened.
• Stir into potatoes along with the cheese. Form into 8 balls, flatten into a 3 inch patty.
• Heat 1 tbs annato oil in a non stick pan over medium high, then fry cakes in two batches turning over once until crusty both sides (about 6 mins a side).
• Gently reheat peanut sauce thinning with a little water to creamy consistency if needed. Serve with the potato cakes.

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.