Ode to Breakfast, Ecuadorian Style

It is my last morning in Quito before heading off to the Amazon for our Earthwatch program.  Since I won't have access to internet for that time, I wanted to post one quick blog about one of my favorite things about Quito: breakfast!  I have gone to a different eatery every morning, just getting a sampling of the different types of breakfast, and each one has been delicious and extremely filling.  Most days I eat around 9am, and don't need another meal until atleast 5 or 6pm.  Breakfast here is cheap, and readily available.  Most restaurants will sell either ham and cheese sandwiches, desayuno continental (continental breakfast), or desayuno completo.  The difference between the latter two options, is usually eggs, and some other sort of protein. 

 

I have included here three different versions of adesayuno completo ("complete breakfast") from three different restaurants.  The standard inclusions are always:

• some type of juice (guava and mandarin are the most common), and I have to say mandarin juice is unbelievable.  It is sweet and light and incredibly refreshing.
• hot milk served with a folger's crystals type of coffee powder and sugar to make an instant coffee...  sort of a low-budget cappucchino.
• a hot cheese sandwhich which can have ham, too, if you prefer
• eggs your way.  Most common served revueltos (scrambled), but you may see in the last place, they actually added onion and tomato, too, which was delicious

As I mentioned, in a complete breakfast there is always another part...

 

 

I found breakfast number one at this great little restaurant on the main street of Rio Amazonas.  The extra part of this breakfast was a local favorite:  una humita.  It's similar to a tamale (a roll of corn meal steamed in corn husks), but the corn meal is slightly sweet, and instead of meat and potatoes in the middle, it is a few pieces of local cheese.  With a bottle of water, the total for this meal was $2.75.

 



Day 2, brought seco de pollo, stewed chicked with rice.  Delicious, and filling!  My bill was $2.60.

Day 3 was spent at a little restaurant on Calle 6 de diciembre, where they also served seco de pollo in a generous portion, adding as well a yummy slice of avocado.  This was also the first time I tried mandarine juice.   Yummmmm.  All for only $3.

So as you can see, you can eat really well here in Ecuador.  The food is clean, fresh, filling and nutritious.