I have loved the food in Cuenca.
This is an example of a lunch fixed by Conchita. Conchita's almuerzas always consist of fresh juice, soup and a main plate of some sort. Avocados are often included somewhere. The soup could be a potato soup, or soup with chicken, beef, pork or fish and often with lots of vegetables. Usually you add rice, mote (corn), avocado or popcorn. The juices are made every day from a variety of fruits. The main dishes varied every day, but they were all really tasty.
Lunch in the market is also wonderful. In the picture below, on the far left you can see a whole pig that has been slowly roasted. When you walk by, they will pull off a bit from the golden brown carcass for a taste. If you sit down you can order a "hornado" which includes the pork that is cooked to perfection and Llapingachos which are delightful potato cakes. I can't remember, but this meal costs between $2 and $3 and is a great buy.
tamales, shawarma,
coffee,
This is an example of a lunch fixed by Conchita. Conchita's almuerzas always consist of fresh juice, soup and a main plate of some sort. Avocados are often included somewhere. The soup could be a potato soup, or soup with chicken, beef, pork or fish and often with lots of vegetables. Usually you add rice, mote (corn), avocado or popcorn. The juices are made every day from a variety of fruits. The main dishes varied every day, but they were all really tasty.
Lunch in the market is also wonderful. In the picture below, on the far left you can see a whole pig that has been slowly roasted. When you walk by, they will pull off a bit from the golden brown carcass for a taste. If you sit down you can order a "hornado" which includes the pork that is cooked to perfection and Llapingachos which are delightful potato cakes. I can't remember, but this meal costs between $2 and $3 and is a great buy.
If you want to eat in a restaurant an almuerzo that includes juice, soup, a main plate of beef, pork, chicken or fish and small dessert will cost $1.50 to $3.00. It is a set menu of the day so you get what you get. Everyone leaves work or school to eat their almuerzo.
I also loved the pancakes in the market,
the arepas,
tamales, shawarma,
coffee,
empenadas, small bananas, plantains, mangos and other fruits, motepilla (a Cuencan dish - mote (corn) mixed with eggs to make corn filled scrambled eggs, humitas (a lightly sweetened corn dumpling made from ground corn, mixed with cheese, sugar, vanilla and butter), aji hot pepper sauce, the bread (small shops sell all kinds - I loved the bread with chocolate for 15 cents), the candied peanuts and the ice cream. One thing that is big around here is the salchipapas which are french fries, topped with chunks of hotdogs that are scored on the ends so that they "flower" out, topped with catsup, mustard and/or mayonnaise. I have not wanted to try this popular food. The one thing we couldn't live without are cookies that are like our animal crackers, but in a square shape. Living without a refrigerator or stove creates many limitations, so those cookies are great to have around.
Why don't you want to try that hotdog on a french fry? That would be the ultimate good/bad for you food. Try one for me, I want to know how it is.
ReplyDeleteWe could start a second business here. I suggest we begin at the State Fair.