There are always adjustments to be made when you move, and Cuenca is certainly no different. There are thinks that are are hard to find and new things to learn about.
One of the things that are difficuly to find is real Maple Syrup. Add to that a sourdough starter which requires use or waste every day and the fact that sourdough pancakes are easy and you face an adaptation.
Luckily, the fruit is really cheap and a basic syrup is fairly easy. A basic recipe for syrup allows you to "dog out" your pancakes. You won't find an easier recipe to remember as it is equal amounts of liquid to brown sugar - so 1/2 cup of orange juice or pineapple or even lime juice in a pan and as it begins to boil add the sugar and stir until combined. If you want something even better then slice some bananas and saute them until browned before adding the juice and sugar and you have something pretty special.
The local fruits offers some new choices as well. Pitahaya is a relative of Dragonfruit. It has yellow skin that is easy to peal - revealing a white fruit with small, black seeds that is on the sweet side. There are sweet cucumbers, lots of mangoes and a lot of different sizes and colors of bananas that each have their own flavor and texture.
When you buy from the open markets you get the best prices as well as the possibility of a Qichua (Key chwah) tradition of Yapa. Yapa is akin to the baker's dozen where when you buy a dozen they threw one in. Yapa requires perhaps more consistency than the baker's dozen. Often, you need to be a return customer unless the vendor has the teacher gene and wants to "introduce" you to the yapa concept. In the banana realm yapa is often some extras that are near ready for banana bread already, but we have bought as many as 21 large bananas for $1 along the way.
While I am discussing the banana bread we made our first batch of Banana Bread Biscotti from some underbaked banana bread. It turned out. If you like dipping stuff in your coffee or tea they are perfect.
Travel Alert:
Ecuador has officially dropped the quarantine requirement to anyone who arrives with a negative covid test so travel here is now an actual possibility. If you only knew someone who lived in Cuenca and had WAY too much room in their house....
Peace and love peeps and more soon....
