Ecuadorian Potato and Cheese Soup

Ingredients:

» 10 medium sized potatoes peeled and chopped into small and large pieces.

» 2 tablespoons oil.

» 1 white onion diced.

» 2 garlic cloves minced.

» 2 tsp cumin.

» 1 tsp achiote powder.

» 7 cups of water.

» 1 cup of milk or more.

» 1 cup grated or crumbled cheese quesillo, queso fresco, mozzarella or monterey jack.

» 1 bunch of cilantro leaves only, minced.

» Salt to taste.

To serve:

» 1 cup of queso fresco feta cheese, or grated mozzarella.

» Maiz tostado or cancha corn nuts.

» Chopped cilantro and green onions.

» Avocados sliced or diced.

» Ecuadorian tree aji hot sauce.

Instructions:

Prepare a refrito or base for the soup by heating the oil over medium heat in a large soup pot; add the diced onions, minced garlic cloves, cumin, and achiote powder. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are tender, about 5 minutes.

Add the potatoes to the pot and mix until they are coated with the refrito. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes, stirring a every couple of minutes.

Add the water and bring to boil, cook until the potatoes are very tender. Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes in the pot, don’t mash all of them, the consistency of the soup should be creamy with small tender chunks of potatoes.

Turn the heat down to low, stir in the milk and let cook for about 5 more minutes. You can add more milk if the soup is too thick.

Add salt to taste.

Add the grated cheese and cilantro, mix well, and remove from the heat.

Serve warm with the avocados, scallions, queso or feta cheese and aji hot sauce.