How to make Ecuadorian empanadas
Are you wondering how to make Ecuadorian empanadas?
In the Andes region of Ecuador, in the Quito and Sangolqui neighborhoods, are the most famous Ecuadorian empanadas (fried cheese empanadas), also known as “empanadas de viento”. Essentially, empanadas are very popular in Quito’s street food, markets, and Old Town.The normal size of them is around 15–20 cm, but in some places they are made bigger.
You get the empanadas de viento with a traditional hot drink called “morocho de leche”. It is made with cracked white corn, milk, cinnamon, cloves, and sugar (optional). All of them together make a very tasty snack in the afternoons when it’s raining or cold weather.
How to make Ecuadorian empanadas
The sellers go on the street to sell the empanadas around 5 pm. In effect, here’s the recipe for how to make Ecuadorian empanadas as sold on the street. We make substitutions at home, such as using butter instead of oil, baking powder instead of yeast, and onions with the cheese.
Empanadas de viento recipe
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ of yeast
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1tsp of sugar
- 1 tablespoon of oil
- ½ cup of warm water
- 1 cup of oil
- Cheese
- Pinch of ground annatto
Instructions
- Add the yeast to a cup of warm water and sugar. Stir it with a fork until the yeast is completely dissolved. Leave it to activate for around 3 minutes.
- Make a hole with the flour. Inside the hole, add the 1 tablespoon of oil, the activated yeast. Add the salt outside of the hole.
- Mix it with your hands to make a dough and add some water if you need it. The dough is ready when you don’t feel it on your hands.
- Makes small balls and covers them with a dry kitchen rag until you see the balls are almost double the size.
- Put the cup of oil in a frying pan or deep fryer. It needs to be very hot.
- Take the balls and roll out the dough to make a round or disc. Add the cheese inside and folder.
- Make the shape of the empanadas and get them ready to fry.
- Add a little sugar on top.
Enjoy this Ecuadorian recipe!!!
How to make Ecuadorian empanadas
If you need more information about this recipe, please contact us at: Book Now Ecuador Food Tour Quito