Repe (Repe lojano)
Overview
Repe is a creamy soup of green bananas from the Loja province in southern Ecuador. Unripe bananas are peeled, broken into pieces by hand, and simmered with onion, garlic, cumin and achiote in water until they are soft and start to thicken the soup. Milk is stirred in, and at the end cubes of fresh white cheese are added to soften. Some cooks add peanut butter or a little cream. The soup is finished with chopped coriander and served with avocado. It is thick, mild and slightly sweet, and very filling.
History
Bananas have been grown in Ecuador since colonial times, and green bananas are a staple in many traditional dishes. Repe lojano is a signature dish of Loja, a city in the southern highlands known for its food and music, where it is eaten at lunch in homes and small restaurants. The name of the dish is said to come from the word for green banana in local Quechua-influenced Spanish.
Main ingredients
Green bananas, milk, fresh cheese, onion and garlic, achiote, coriander. The soup is built on milky green banana broth and is usually served hot. Diet: vegetarian; usually gluten-free.
Explore: Cheese soups · More soups from Ecuador
Recipe
Method
- 1
Fry the onion and garlic with the achiote and cumin.
- 220 min
Add the bananas and water and simmer for 20 minutes until soft.
- 3
Mash some of the banana to thicken the soup, then add the milk.
- 43 min
Add the cheese and coriander and heat for 3 minutes.
- 5
Serve with avocado.
- ✓
Serve. About 45 min from start to bowl.
Sources
Description, history and recipe written by SoupWiki and checked against the sources above. Calories and times are rough estimates.
