Ecuadorian Cheese Empanadas Recipe

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This Ecuadorian empanadas recipe is more than just about a tasty snack.

It’s a funny thing when you decide to stay somewhere a bit longer. You are no longer rushed to see all the items on the “must do” list and you can begin to relax.

So that’s what I’ve been doing. 

I rented an apartment in Canoa and there’s a hammock in my kitchen!

I’ve also been cooking which means interacting with people in a different way as I try to figure out where I can find ingredients.

It’s so different than Cuenca in the Andes. Guess what, in a small coastal town of 3000 people. I’ve learned spinach only comes on Thursdays.

And sometimes it doesn’t come. 

Canoa is the type of place where most just come for a weekend.

So now that I have been here a few weeks people are more comfortable approaching me and asking why I’m still here.
 
 

Empanadas in Costa Rica

I’ve made friends.

These friends seem to think I can’t cook so they’ll come over with fish and make me lunch.

I like to cook but I’m not complaining.

This is why I wanted to stay.

And a few nights ago it was someone’s birthday party and so I was invited to salsa dance all night in the sandy lot of backyard a couple blocks from the beach.

I met more people and their uncles and aunts and grandparents and children and cousins and more cousins and wait more cousins.

23 DELICIOUS:
Ecuador Fruits

After graciously accepting people’s offers of aguardiente or beer shots it was past midnight which meant time for food and I was handed the best empanada I have ever eaten.

It was so good I ate 7 of them.

And because most of the town now knew that I was shooting food videos, the cook offered her services.

I came over later in the week and she showed me how to make empanadas.

Just as long as her face didn’t appear in the video.

So I showed her my bolon de verde video and ceviche video and promised we could do the same. But I think she liked the cuy in Ecuador video the most.

Empanadas on a baking sheet

Cheese Empanadas Recipe

This is not one of my best videos. But it is one of the most special because I was invited into someone’s home.

She patiently allowed me to fuss around her with the video.

Afterwards when I realized I didn’t capture the sugar being tossed onto the freshly fried plate of empanadas she made me more.

This is why food of a country is so much more important to me than hiking a volcano or visiting an art gallery.

I’m able to share something with people who I would never have met otherwise.

Initially we don’t believe we have much in common except a mutual love for food and that begins the conversation.

Eventually you realize you have more in common than you think.

Love Ecuadorian food? Check out:

Pescado Encocado
Easy Cheese Empanadas
Ecuadorian Ceviche

Pin it: Cheese Empanadas

Join the Conversation

  1. Andi of My Beautiful Adventures says:

    I want to eat the computer screen haha!

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      Now that’s the best compliment!

  2. The 1st time I had empanadas was with you, in a little shop off of Kensington Market. We sat on crates, had no idea what was being said and had no idea what we were eating. We just knew it was delicious…hope I get to do this again, with you, somewhere equally as fabulous!

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      We I remember that, it was a great Chilean place.

  3. Hmm I need to find friends who bring over fish and also make empanadas. I will only watch that video once however or I will get too hungry!

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      I am rather lucky to have found a group of friends who think I cannot cook!

  4. Martine @ Chompchomp says:

    I love empanadas, any street food that is naturally gluten free always grabs my attention but these also taste delicious!

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      I didn’t realize they were gluten free as well!

  5. Janice @ Californian in Exile says:

    These just happen to be my favorite empanadas! I’d love to make them at some point, and from your video, they look pretty easy.

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      I was shocked at how easy they are and actually she admitted to me sometimes she just buys pre-made dough!

  6. Victoria Hill says:

    Empanadas are truly a delicious treat. You can eat for lunch, as a afternoon snack or an appetizer to your dinner.

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      Indeed or even for breakfast, believe me I have done it.

  7. Jonathan Look, Jr. says:

    I once had a dream of living in Canoa, Ecuador. I still haven’t even visited but came across a guesthouse that was for sale on the Internet, cheap, and while I was still firmly ensconced in American sububatory, and before discovering the life nomadic, I dreamed.

    Now, here I am living in Chiang Mai, Thailand (and loving it) and I see this on Empanadas. Brings me back to last year in San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico AND makes me hungry for some great street food. Unfortunately it just started raining.

    Well, rain usually doesn’t last long here so, when it stops, I am going to go a local Mexican place in search of Empanadas in Thailand.

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      Mexico also calls to me, the food there is so damn good.

  8. Raymond Waruhari says:

    Just two questions!

    Did you really have to show us those pastries!

    Did you know Canoa is one of the best places on earth to learn Spanish while enjoying the beach?

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      No I did not know that, in fact I didn’t even know there were Spanish lessons here.

  9. i want these in my stomach now!

  10. yum yum YUM! these look SO good!

  11. Ron | Active Planet Travels says:

    Wow those look delicious!

  12. Annette | Bucket List Journey says:

    These look a bit different that the ones I learned to make in Argentina. But, look just as DELICIOUS!

  13. Janice MacLeod says:

    The moment I settled in Paris, I stopped going to all museums, art galleries and tourist sites. Now I wander streets and look for good food.

    It’s better this way, non?

    I’m finally finding what I came to discover. It wasn’t at the tourist sites.

  14. theboywander says:

    That looks fantastic and what a special moment you got to share with her, cooking in her home.

  15. I am already hungry. I like cooking though i don’t know how to fry a fish. May be you come up with a menu.

  16. I read the part about the hammock. And I’m not going to lie, I stopped reading. Opened a new window and started perusing amazon…because I want a hammock in my kitchen. That’s pretty awesome. =)

  17. I actually had these once when I was Spain but haven’t had them ever since. I’m glad to fonally know how they’re made. I’ll give it a shot tomorrow. Thanks 🙂

  18. FINALLY I can attempt (and probably fail) at making one of my favorite snacks. Thanks for the rad video!

  19. Capsule de Café says:

    Thanks for sharing ! & funny name for a blog, I’m still laughing !!! LoL !

  20. They look delicious. Always been a big fan of empanadas – found the best ones for me were Argentinian.

    Which have been your favourites throughout your American travels?

  21. TammyOnTheMove says:

    Ecuadorian people are some of the most friendly people I have ever met. I did a home stay in Ecuador once and was treated like a second daughter.

  22. 1. Hammock in the kitchen?! What a fabulous idea. Heck, I’ll take a hammock anywhere in my house.
    2. These empanadas look delicious! I love that you’re staying somewhere long enough to become part of the community. My last trip was so fast-paced, and this was a good reminder for me to slow down.

  23. Mike | Earthdrifter says:

    Nice experience. I think the variety of empanadas out there is endless. I recently discovered horneado or baked, nice change from the mostly fried versions. Those fried ones must have been really tasty though. You can’t beat homemade freshness like that.

  24. I love, love, love cheese! This easy peasy recipe is perfect for me.

  25. The ecuadoriant food is great. It looks so delicious. It is easy to cook at home
    That looks fantastic and what a special moment you got to share with her, cooking in her home.

  26. I have been looking for a recipe for Ecuadorian Empanadas all over and was so happy when I found yours!! I want to make them sometime, but could you tell me how much of each ingredient you put in to make the dough??!?? THANKS!!

  27. These look amazing!!! How much flour, salt and butter do you use in the dough?? Thanks!!

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      That I’m not so sure but I am sure you could find an easy empanada dough recipe online.

  28. These empanadas look amazing. I can’t wait to try and make them. Great video. I like the perspective!

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      Thanks Corinne, they are delicious.

  29. Yummy yummy in my tummy! Absolutely delicious and mouth-watering treat!

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      Ha indeed they are!

  30. These look so good! Where can I find the recipe?

  31. Lisa Kellenberger says:

    Thanks so much for sharing this video! I lived in Argentina for 5 months and fell in love with empanadas as well (for better or for worse..)! I love seeing how the same food evolves in different countries.

    Thanks again,
    Lisa

  32. Anna @ AnnaEverywhere says:

    Yum, I love empanadas! That was my daily food when I used to live in Argentina 🙂 Gotta try your recipe, thanks!

  33. Reizigersblog says:

    That looks delicious!!!

  34. Elaine @ Dishes Delish says:

    Cheese empanadas are my absolute favorite. Awesome recipe!!

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