My name is Layla Pujol, my family and friends call me Laylita. I was born in Vilcabamba, Ecuador and currently live in Luxembourg. I spent several years in the US, both in Austin and in Seattle, and our family recently moved to Europe. My recipes are inspired mainly by traditional Ecuadorian dishes that I grew up eating in Ecuador. However, my love of food – and therefore the recipes posted here – go beyond Ecuador and include anything from Latin America, my mom’s spicy New Mexican cooking, my grandmother’s homemade Southwestern dishes and Texas style BBQ, my husband’s (and his family’s) delicious French food, new dishes introduced by my amazing group of international friends, and of course the great variety of seafood, vegetables and fruits available in the Pacific Northwest.
I am currently working on my first cookbook, which will focus on delicious Ecuadorian recipes (adapted to my style, of course!).
The longer version of my story
My approach to cooking and general instructions for using this site
Additional contact information
Photo and content use
Recipe development, product reviews, disclosure, and advertising
Privacy policy
If you have any questions or comments you can leave them in the comment section, or you can email me directly layla at laylita dot com
Oh hooray! A blog on Ecuadorian cooking. I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to find this! I lived down in Cuenca for a few months while in college, and find myself craving a little sierra food now and then. Your pictures are lovely, and your recipes look delicious. I’ve bookmarked your site for sure! If you are ever at a loss for something to write up, I’d love to get my hands on a great llapingachos (sp?) recipe, or one for the roasted, crunchy puffed corn they sell at all the street side vendors (kind of like cornnuts, but much tastier!). I swear living in Cuenca I gained 10 pounds just from the empanada lady that sold those amazing chicken empanadas on the corner. WOW. Amazing. Thanks again for the great site!
Hi Layla,
I was very excited when I came across your website. My husband and I are currently in the process of adopting children from Ecuador and I have been searching for authentic recipes. Your site will be a great resource for me as I want to incorporate Ecuadorian culture into our everyday life for our children. Thank you!
Allison
Hi when you going to have a book to buy
viva Ecuador
Christa, Thank you for the sweet comments! I’m really flattered by everything you say and am glad that the recipes are working for you. I love food, I love photography, I love Ecuador and South America and I think that there are so many culinary treasures in these places that the rest of world doesn’t know about and I wanted to share these recipes. Also like many Ecuadorians who live outside of the country I miss the food and was frustrated with the lack of photos and clear recipe instructions online. Umm, not so sure about the writing, I’m not particularly confident there, but I try and I guess the practice is working (my thing was always the reading and not really the writing).
Layla,
I must compliment you on the new look and layout of your website. I am 62 years old and thought i had seen it all..but your photos and step-by-step instructions are something i have never seen. Your website is outrageously inspiring to me, and the fact that you include personal stories and experiences makes me feel like I know you. Your writing is wonderful, your recipes exceptional, and your mouth-watering photos just make me want to fix whatever you are displaying. My son’s name is Marc, too; he will turn 40 this year. Not only are you a good cooker, you are beautiful. I can see why Nicolas was attracted to you. I love your website. Pregunta: whatever made you decide to start this project? and where did you get the gift of written communication? As you probably know, you are the only person that posts authentic and do-able(sp?) Ecuadorian recipes. Please keep them coming. Our Ecuadorian friends are wondering where I picked up the skills of Ecuadorian cooking. Shall I share the secret?
Fondly,
Christa
Hi Layla,
I just came across your site… I love it. I am a food fanatic, and love to cook for my husband. We have been married for a couple of months, and I am intrudicing him to my country’s food, he is colombian, so it is not too hard. Finally, I am definately going to try the Fanesca. Usually my mother does it, but this year, it is my husband and I, so it will be my first time. Hopefully I can buy all the ingredients neede… let’s see!
Thanks so much for your site!
Naty
Hi Layla,
I am crazy for your blog, it is so fantastic!
Cheers,
Rachael
hey layla, thanks for dropping by and commenting on my photo. loved to discover your blog as well. great stuff. do you mind if i link to your blog? great source of inspiration :)
Thank you, Gunter. Have a great time in Ecuador!
Hello Layla,
congratulation to this excellent web site. The way you describe the food and of course the pictures of it are wonderful! I get hungry, when I just read it. Please continue because I know that Iva will definetly try something out from you recipe book.
Many thanks and greetings from Vienna,
Günter
PS: We are back to Ecuador for vacation next Week, Feb. 6th 2008!