Traditional Food and Home Cooking

We had been to the co-op the other day picking up the pieces to some really good eats, and after being inspired by some good home cooking last night Donna went to work this am to make

Aji de tomate de arbol (tree tomato hot sauce), Chaulafan de pollo (Ecuadorian chicken fried rice), and Moto pillo (hominy with eggs).

Shortly after we got up Donna realized that the 5lb chicken we bought, we were unable to cook. I rushed up to Coral and bought this monster stock pot (don't ask about the price) so we could get busy.

Here is the finished Tree Tomato hot sauce. You find this sitting ring side on most tables you will go to where the main fair is Ecuadorian. It is hotter than what you get in town but that is what we like.

This plate has a nice fillet of Tilapia with onions (sorry Charlie) and the Moto pillo with some queso fresco and diced tomato......yum (that was breakfast)

Then the work started. Made a stock with the chicken, then used the stock for the rice. Here are the vegetables, rasins, eggs, and chicken waiting patiently to get into the pot.

And finally the finished product. Wow was it good. I had mentioned great rice in an earlier post but this stomped all over that. A bit of the freshly made hot sauce and a glass of vino and it was better than any place I have been out to eat at. Yes some of you (you know who) will be, when our table arrives, enjoying fare like this one day soon.

Donna did a great job. I guess I should do some dishes..............Ciao

The recipes came form this link. http://laylita.com/recipes/

New spot

Last night we went to the official opening of California Kitchen on Calle Gaspar Sangurima y Calle Presidente Borrero. It was fun. We saw many familiar faces and the food was good. They do breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We recommend stopping in for some good eats if you are in the area. George and his family run the place and we wish them much success in their new venture.

We have been without internet for a few days. It has been an on again, off again problem where we are renting.
We hope to be in our house in a week or so and are looking forward to that very much. We will miss being so close to everything but it will be nice to be in our own place.
Our container is on the water and should be here in a few days. More on that stuff later.

Gato update.......................they are finally adjusted to the temps and are just fine.

Well until next time.......................J&D

Yummy soups

If you like soup and you have not tried Jenny's at the Kookaburra Cafe then you are missing out.

She creates the best soups. This one is a curry veggie and it was great. We are also big fans of the red pepper and tomato. All of the ones we have tried are great and you cannot go wrong if you order one.

That is Chris and Jenny buying some plants from their plant connection. We wanted to get one too but no place to put it yet.

Well we will see you at the cafe soon. Until next time............................J&D

Good Chinese

Went to lunch today with friends to a really good chinese place or "chifa" as they are refered to in spanish. When we ordered we had no clue about portion size. I am never one to complain about a nice pile on my plate but wow. The prices of course very reasonable.

I did not get a picture of the wonton soup because, well it was gone, but boy was it good.

The place is called Chifa Fortuna. It is on Remigio Crespo y Agustin Cueva. I recommend it if you are looking for some good eats.

Have a safe trip Lourdes, we will see you when you return.

Until next time.....................J&D

Feria Libre

This am we went to a huge outside mercado. They have it all. Fruit, veggies, meat, fish, plants, chocolate, live animals, everything.
We went with Rich and Nancy, Barbara and Howard and our guide was Ignacio, Donna's hair guy. It is a bit overwhelming. They only have this market In Wednesday's and Sunday's.
You have to go early to get the choice stuff and also it has not been sitting out long.
All the beef was culled yesterday as well as the pork and chicken and lamb.
I did not bring my camera or anything valuable(except Donna) as this is pic pocket central. Only bring what you are going to spend and the bags to carry the loot.
I wish I could have taken pictures as this has to be seen to be appreciated.

I also caught my third soccer game last night. Cuenca vs. Guayaquil(Barcelona)
The place was packed. The biggest crowd yet (and the most "passionate"). Learned a whole bunch of new Spanish swear words. It ended in a tie 1-1. There was a game before the main event with the "b" teams of each club. Cuenca won. It was 5-1 I think as we saw these goals happen but they did not post the score on the big board. It was in progress when we got in.
We had to stand for the 3+ hours we were there. I went with Stew, Chris and a couple from Australia passing through. It turned out nice, no rain for the big game. A bit during the first but it went away.

We are also closing on our house in a week or so and we bought an apartment in El Centro. The location is unreal, 1 block from Calderon Park. We will post all that soon.
Sorry no Pics, but do not fret, more to come.

Until next time...........J&D

In the kitchen wih Leslie

Last night we attended a cooking class with Barbera and Howard, Rich and Nancy, and Donna and I. It was a great time.
It was Thai night. Leslie showed us how to make Pat Thai, Sea Bass Curry, Cucumber and Prawn Salad, Chicken Curry with Basil -Ginger and Peanuts, Beef Panaeng, and Spicy Minced Chicken Salad.
After all the cooking was done we showed her how to eat it!
It was a real good time and we enjoyed it very much. Leslie offers classes often, focusing on different cuisines every time. Indian, Thai,

Greek, etc. She is a great cook. I think we will be going to another class soon.

I would have taken more pics of the food and the group but my camera died.

Until next time............J&D

Great Steak

This was our second trip to the Terrace since we have arrived back to Cuenca. The food and prices are very good.

This is called churrasco. 2 fried eggs on a tender cut of beef called "lomo fino" with sauteed peppers and onions. Rice, with avocado and fries. $6.20. Hard to beat this flavor combo for that price.

Still a voting member in the clean plate club.

The walk home was quiet last night. Must have been because it was a Monday night and it was 10:30. This is Benigno Malo. Donna and I could not help but notice how clean the street was. As anyone knows who has been or lives here this is the norm. You do see litter after a parade or the occasional beer bottle but they are not left alone for long, and the bits you see do not turn into piles. We like the cobble stone streets. Much nicer atmosphere than asphalt.

Santo Domingo church at night.

Until next time............J&D

Great Rice

The dish is called chaulafan. It is similar to fried rice that you would see in the US but I think it is better. I believe it originated in Peru but is popular here. We have not had a decent rice since we left the states. Aruba's fried rice was not good anywhere we went so this was a welcome find. This had shrimp, peas, onion, bacon, egg, pork, avocado, fried plantain, and chicken. It was yummy.

Donna and I had this for lunch at Gracies (not sure on spelling) on Gran Colombia a few doors down from the Eucalyptus Cafe going away from the park center.

This dish and 2 aqua sin gas (non carbonated water) set us back $4.80. There was plenty for us both. We went to the Mall Del Rio recently and I tried the food courts version of chaulafan also. It was good but, it was still mall food and of course a little more coin.

I will try to remember to click a photo before I inhale my meals but sometimes I plain forget.

Tonight we are going to a great steak place so stay tuned.....J&D

The Mercado

First let me apologize for my incredible spelling and grammar. I rely on spell check to make me look literate but I guess even the computer slept in class. Went to the mercado again but now that we are blogging I am taking photo's of everything worth sharing. This is 10 DE AUGUSTO, this is one of the local markets in the Historical District. We have been to 9 DE OCTUBRE as well but it seems I am able to negotiate at 10 DE AUGUSTO so we like it better. The rows and rows of fruit and vegetables is pretty cool to see. It is split up into a fruit and veggie section, meats, bulk grains rice and beans, and fish. There are 2 levels, fruit etc on the first and there is a food court area with a few more fruit and veggie vendors also on the second. It has escalators to take you up or an elevator if you choose. Stairs for the not so lazy but with all the walking the escalator is a nice ride. It is easy to buy alot as the prices are cheap. Make sure you have enough sturdy bags on hand to carry away the loot.

This pile of food cost a whopping $10.65 You have to look around at the different vendors and ask the price. I always try to get a lower price. Most of the time you can, it is expected. If you do not you are paying more than you should. If they will not negotiate it may be that is the price. You can find out by if you are being gouged by checking around at other vendors.

This is our egg connection. He is about a block down the street from our apartment. We went by one day and saw the stack of eggs. We bought eggs the first time at Supermaxi so when they were gone we brought the empty carton down for a fill up. $.10 cents an egg. They are great. It is amazing what you find sprinkled along the streets. There are bakery's and pastry shops every block it seems, so the smell of fresh bread and other treats is always in the air. Ice cream is also very popular and there are shops located strategically to fix you up when the need hits.

Well I smell something good so until next time.........J&D