Many of my patients and readers ask exactly where my Health Sciences and Research Center is based within Ecuador, the map above shows its placement in the country…thanks for asking. My Institute for Wholistic Rejuvenation and all Patient Services are still located, and will remain, at our corporate office in Sandpoint, Idaho, under the careful eye of Sharon who has been with us for, well, many many years!
This month, since we’re all so busy for the holidays and year-end commitments, I’m writing a longer blog with nothing but recipes so you can add a Latin flair to your holiday table if you choose. There will be no other blog articles but after reading this, I believe you’ll agree this fits the bill for the month with a little historical perspective thrown in for good measure and fun reading.
Christmas & New Year Culinary Traditions…South American Style…
Ecuadorian Perspective…
December 24th: All Ecuador celebrates Christmas. The streets and churches have special decoration with Nativity scenes, lighting, ornaments, etc. It is characteristic in Ecuador to celebrate the 24th with midnight mass or “ Misa de Gallo”, shortly after Christmas dinner. This is their ceremony commemorating the birth of Christ in this deeply religious Christian culture.
Carols, and the “Pase del niño” (religious procession parade) stroll through representative streets and neighborhoods – which each neighborhood trying to out-due the others. Pase del niño is a religious procession representing the characters of Christmas with bright colors and all that encompasses pageantry. Joseph and Mary with the child in arms on a donkey pass through the streets while the community with prayers and songs, accompanies them.
In addition, the nativity scene, called “nacimientos”, are assembled in most Ecuadorian homes, rather than the traditional Christmas trees as in many other parts of the world. That’s not to say Christmas trees are not used, just that they’re not as common as nativity scenes.
December 31st: is celebrated as the end of the year or the burning of the past – what a great idea! Typical activities are making life-sized stick figures or dolls that represent the year that is ending and then the rag dolls are burned at midnight.
At the end of the year the wills of the old year are also read with humorous phrases and jokes. “Widows” of the old year (Año Viejo), are men dressed as women. They dance and act-out to the delight and laughter of the passers-by as they’re on most corners on main highways and entrances to various neighborhoods (barrios). They are masked, clowns, and various characters. Celebrations abound and they end with the burning of the rag dog, fireworks and midnight dinners – happy to leave the past year behind and make commitments to a better new year.
Historical Perspective…
Most holidays in Ecuador are the result of Christian colonization that modified the rituals and celebrations of the indigenous community. Andean and ancestral religion moved to the Catholic religion which, until today, is a blend of the indigenous ancestral world and nature.
Sweets and varieties of biscuits are abundant this time of year. Although Christmas presents are exchanged, the usual are token gifts of sweets, fruit, drinks and a small toy for children. Ecuadorians, especially outside the large urban cities, are not yet spoiled by the commercialism in other countries; it’s the thought behind the token gift, not the dollar value – how refreshing!
For a country that celebrates great food throughout the year and serves-up the most amazing healthy cuisine, the Christmas table mostly consists of variations of rice: rice with cheese, rice with corn, rice with stew, spicy rice, sweet rice, and even sweet and spicy rice (Arroz Navideño, or Christmas rice). There is, of course, some chicken, turkey, and salad, but rice is still the biggest part of Christmas dinner in Ecuador. There is usually fried plantains almost as a garnish as well. For reasons, I haven’t yet figured out, turkey is a delicacy here and VERY expensive. Therefore, most people serve chicken as their main course (plato fuerte).
The abundance of sweets, however, is impressive! There’s a mouth-watering spread of candies, cakes, biscuits, fruits in sauces, and cupcakes in a variety of shapes, and forms.
Empanadas de viento, or fried cheese empanadas, are the most delectable traditional Ecuadorian empanadas – filled with cheese, diced onions and herbs – fried until crispy, and served sprinkled with sugar (I use healthy coconut oil to fry them). These are truly my favorite empanadas, the combination of the gooey cheese and onions inside a crispy fried empanada and topped with sugar is delicious. They’re the perfect breakfast or afternoon snack with a hot cup of exquisite Ecuadorian coffee or tea.
The most important part is making sure the empanadas are sealed well, I seal them four times: first with my fingers, next with a fork, then with my fingers twisting and folding the edges, and finally with the fork again. It also helps if the empanadas rest for about an hour in the fridge before frying them, this might seem over the top just to seal an empanada, but I have experienced them leaking while they are being fried and it is very messy and madding after spending so much time “pinching” them.
Fried cheese empanadas // Empanadas de viento
Ingredients
15 medium size or 25 small empanada discs (use this recipe for homemade* empanada dough for frying or store bought empanada discs – the store-bought dough is easily found in Latin markets.
- 2 ½ cups grated cheese (you can use quesillo, mozzarella, Monterey jack, Oaxaca or any other cheese that melts well or a combination of your favorites, my favorite is to top then with goat cheese chevre)
- 1 cup finely chopped white onion
- ¼ tsp. each: rosemary, thyme, marjoram (VERY finely ground)
- ½ cup sugar for sprinkling
- Coconut Oil for frying
Instructions
- Mix the grated cheese, very finely chopped onions and herbs together.
- Spoon the cheese filling on the center of each empanada disc.
- Fold the empanada discs and seal the edges, first pressing gently with your fingers, next use a fork to press down and seal, finally twist and fold the edges of the empanadas and then use the fork again for the final sealing.
- Chill the empanadas at least an hour – helps them seal better and prevent leaks.
- Fry the empanadas either in a deep fryer or a frying pan, if using a frying pan add enough oil to cover at least half of the empanada, let the oil get very hot and fry each empanada until they are golden on each side or about a minute per side.
- Place the empanadas on paper towels to drain any excess oil, sprinkle generously with sugar and serve warm.
These fried empanadas also make a great appetizer, although some may consider them a dessert as well, which they surely can be.
Homemade Empanada Dough
Prep Time: 15 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes, Yield: 12-15 medium size or 20-25 appetizer size discs
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour (you can use a full-bodied gluten-free variety)
¼ to ½ tsp. salt
6 oz. unsalted butter (1 ½ sticks)
1 egg plus 1-2 egg whites
¼ to ½ cup water or milk, adjust as needed to obtain a soft and smooth dough
Instructions
Making homemade empanada dough:
- Mix flour and salt in a food processor.
- Add butter and pulse
- Add the egg and water or milk (in small increments) and continue pulsing until a clumpy dough forms.
- To make the empanada dough by hand, follow the same instruction but use your hands to mix the ingredients together.
- Split the dough into 2 large balls, flatten slightly into the shape of disks. The dough can be used immediately or refrigerated until ready to use (1-2 days max.).
- Roll-out dough into a thin sheet and cut out round disc shapes for empanadas (use round molds, a small plate, or the lid of a jar). You can also make small individual balls with the dough and roll out each individual ball to a round shape (doesn’t need to be perfectly round) – if you have a tortilla press you can use it to flatten the dough balls.
- Use immediately, or store in the refrigerator/freezer for later.
- Instead of frying, you can bake the empanadas in a pre-heated oven. I usually bake them at 375 F-400 F, the temperature will vary based on the oven, the altitude, and the size of the empanadas. I bake the smaller sized empanadas at 375 F. The baking time also varies (again based on the oven and size), but it’s in the range of 18-25 minutes – the empanadas will be ready once they are golden.
- For baked empanadas be sure to baste the tops with egg white or you won’t get that nice golden brown.
Kitchen Notes: It’s easy to find ready-made frozen empanada discs in Latin grocery stores, and even though I was skeptical at first, they are quite good. However, homemade always taste better and fresher. Another benefit of making homemade empanada dough for baking is that you can customize the dough by adding spices, herbs or a bit of sweetener that will add flavor and complement or contrast with the fillings. You can also make a large batch of homemade empanada dough, roll it out and cut it into discs, then freeze the discs (separate with wax paper) for later use.
Dulce de Higos (Fig Preserves in Syrup)
Dulce de higos, also known as higos pasados, are fig preserves cooked in spiced syrup of panela/piloncillo (unprocessed brown cane sugar and spices). They are a very typical dessert in Ecuadorian households, and are one of those desserts that you might be served both in the home of humble farmer who lives in a house with no electricity, at a gourmet dinner of a wealthy businessperson in one of the main cities, or in a typical restaurant. These caramelized figs are usually served with a slice of fresh cheese, queso fresco or quesillo, to help balance the sweetness…they are quite the eclectic treat.
Ingredients
20 fresh ripe but firm figs, washed
Pinch of baking soda
1 ¾ lb. panela (hard brown cane sugar)
Cinnamon sticks, cloves and other spices – optional
Water
Instructions
- Make a crosswise cut on the thin side of each fig.
- Place the figs in a bowl, cover them with water and let them soak for 24 hours.
- Rinse the figs, place them in a saucepan, cover with water, about 8 cups.
- Add the baking soda and bring the water to a boil over medium heat, cook for about 15-20 minutes or until soft.
- Remove from heat and let the figs soak in the water they cooked in for another 24 hours.
- Drain all the water from figs and gently squeeze each fig to remove as much water as possible.
- Place the panela and the spices in a large saucepan, cover with about 6 cups of water and cook on low heat until the panela is completely dissolved.
- Add the figs and simmer until the panela syrup begins to thicken, at least a couple of hours, stir occasionally. – what you’re basically doing is making a reduction sauce.
- Serve warm or cold with a slice of quesillo, fresh mozzarella, queso fresco, farmer’s cheese, a soft cheese like chevre or cream cheese.
TO SERVE:
Slices of quesillo cheese or queso fresco on the side OR topped with a soft cheese like chevre or cream cheese.
VARIATION: Place shredded or crumbled cheese on top and broil just until the cheese begins to melt.
Ecuadorians prefer simple desserts because their main course (plato fuerte) is very filling, and usually eaten between 1: and 3: pm.
A typical dessert in Ecuador usually consists of a perfectly ripe fruit, such as a slice of papaya with a drizzle of lime juice or a piece of babaco with a little bit of honey, a refreshing helado de paila (hand-churned sherbet), a fluffy bizcochuelo, or a sweet fig preserve as in this recipe presented. Right along with Colonial customs, it is also common to eat sweets in larger quantity with afternoon coffee or tea rather than for dessert after a large filling meal.
Happy Holidays, I hope you’re enjoying my recipes, tidbits and a glimpse of life in Ecuador…
Dr. Gloria
- 9 Best Chlorella Supplements In The Market Today - May 19, 2023
- 21 Tasty Chlorella Recipes To Keep You Healthy - May 19, 2023
- Chlorella Side Effects: What To Expect When Taking Chlorella? - May 11, 2023