RecipesEcuadorMote Pillo con Queso

Mote Pillo con Queso

A popular breakfast or side dish from the Andean region of Ecuador, made with hominy (mote) sautéed with eggs, cheese, and seasonings.

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Servings4
DifficultyEasy
Mote Pillo con Queso - Ecuador traditional dish

🧂 Ingredients

  • 500 g Mote (cooked hominy)(drained)
  • 4 large Eggs
  • 1/2 medium Onion(finely chopped)
  • 2 cloves Garlic(minced)
  • 100 g Queso fresco or similar white cheese(crumbled)
  • 1/4 cup Milk or cream
  • 2 tbsp Cilantro(chopped)
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Black pepper
  • 2 tbsp Oil or butter

👨‍🍳 Instructions

  1. 1

    In a large skillet, heat oil or butter over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion until translucent, about 5 minutes.

  2. 2

    Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

  3. 3

    Add the cooked mote to the skillet. Stir well to combine with the onion and garlic. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mote is lightly toasted.

  4. 4

    In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk (or cream), salt, and pepper.

    💡 Tip: Adding milk or cream makes the dish creamier.
  5. 5

    Pour the egg mixture over the mote in the skillet. Stir gently as the eggs cook, scrambling them with the mote.

    💡 Tip: Cook until the eggs are just set.
  6. 6

    Stir in the crumbled cheese and chopped cilantro. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted and the cilantro is fragrant.

  7. 7

    Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately.

    💡 Tip: Mote Pillo is best served hot.

💡 Pro Tips

  • Use pre-cooked mote for convenience. If cooking from dried hominy, ensure it's fully tender.
  • Don't overcook the eggs; they should be creamy, not dry.
  • Experiment with different types of white cheese.

🔄 Variations

  • Add finely chopped bell peppers or tomatoes for extra color and flavor.
  • Some variations include a pinch of cumin or achiote for color.

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