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
This week I returned from a 2-week vacation in Ecuador and was looking around on line for a Passion Fruit Mousse recipe similar to one served at Sacha Lodge in the Amazon region –which I found with you. Thanks. Then in searching around on your site I found several other interesting things I pinned which was a huge bonus. I love the nutritious benefits of Quinoa and just last night made Ecuadorian Quinoa soup from another site but I’ll also use your salsa verde quinoa. Great site; thanks. If you have a source for a recipe for Cayambe-style Bizcochos, let me know.
I second the request for the Cayambe-style bizcochos. My family just returned from three weeks visiting relatives and traveling throughout Ecuador, and I would love the recipe for these bizcochos. I understand that they use a lot of butter and “manteca de cerdo” (hence the awesome flavor, no doubt), plus are baked in an “horno de carbón”, which will not be easily replicated, but if you have found a recipe or any other ideas, let me know!
Gracias!!
Dear Laylita,
Congratulations for your website! Thanks for the pictures of You and your family. You are all beautiful. I finally go to ‘meet you’ I am so glad you love to cook ecuadorian food. You have a beautiful and practical website. I love how clear you are in your explanations. The pictures are great. I found your page last year and I fall in love with it. I have made many dishes already and they all have tested delicious! I love to cook international dishes, but nothing compares with my ecuadorian food. I am looking for ‘ayacas’ recipe. Please let me know if you have it. God bless you and your family and thank you very much for your page.
Hi,
I am so excited to have found your site. I am in love with Ecuador and their food. Having just returned from another trip there, I discovered these amazing sweet corn pancakes at the market in Cuenca. Do you have a recipe for them? They were made in a big wide pan by putting a bit of a pancake batter down first, followed by a filling of mote and queso (I believe) and topped again with more of the batter. I would love to know how to make these at home. Thanks!
Hola desde Bremerton, WA:
¡He encontrado un compañera ecuatoriana! Aunque de yo no habÃa nacido en Ecuador, mi familia me ha elevado a apreciar la cultura de América del Sur, incluyendo la comida. Aprecio mucho sus recetas, me dan la inspiración para experimentar en mis propias aventuras culinarias. De uno a otro ecuatoriana, muchÃsima gracias Señora Laylita por compartir una parte de nuestro patrimonio.
Con saludos,
Jacque.
Hola! Yo encontre tu pagina cuando estuve buscando por recetas ecuatoriana. Acabo de regresar de mi primer viaje a Ecuador con mi novio. El fue nacio en Quito y vivio alli hasta tuvo 22 anos. Ahora vivimos juntos en los EEUU. Soy de aqui. Despues del viaje, quiero cocinar las comidas del pais en nuestra casa. Estoy emocionada de conocer este blog! (Y perdon si mi espanol tiene errores, estoy aprendiendo siempre!).
Hey Laylita,
Thank you for such an amazing website and especially for the repe lojano recipe. My mum is from Loja and she makes the most amazing repe soup.
I was wondering if you could potentially post a quimbolitos recipe.
Thanks and congrats for your website,
Jorge
Madison, WI
I’m from Ecuador and I love your Blog. I married a Michigander and now I’m living in Michigan.
The pictures are as good as the recipes, but particularly your background, your experience in South America and your current life. Just read the recipes and look the pictures, makes me back to Ecuador.
Thank you for share your thoughts and experience with us,
Monica
Hola Layla,
I am looking for a recipe for pan de yuca. I think it is traditionally Colombian, but I thought you might be familiar with it.
Thanks!
Hi Tamara – We have pan de yuca in Ecuador also, here’s the recipe:https://www.laylita.com/recipes/2008/01/14/pan-de-yuca-pan-queso/
I am really happy to have found your blog! I am living in Quito but it has only been a couple months so I still have the city’s food to discover! I am really happy to see lots of great eateries in your posts and traditional recipes as well. (I also have a crepe-making French husband!) I am excited to keep reading. :)
Your blog is heaven sent! My mother is from Ecuador and not as close as I would like, so this is seriously helping me and my family on so many levels, lol. Great job and thanks again!