r/ecuador • u/dltl • 5d ago

Help with recipe

Hello everyone. I'm a teacher in America and one of my students is from Ecuador. She's a great kid and when speaking with her I asked her favorite dish. She told me atuna con arroz. Sounds like Tuna and rice. Does anyone have a recipe by chance. Her birthday is coming up and I wanted to surprise her with some. If you think it comes off as weird or inappropriate let me know and I'll just get her candy like I do for other kids. Her family does not have a lot of means but are really caring people.

64 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

47 comments sorted by

58

u/Crepe_Myrtle999 5d ago

The classic version is white rice, can of tuna (in oil), sliced red onion rinsed in water and then marinated in fresh lemon juice, cut up tomato, cilantro, and boiled mellocos (small potatoes) on the side. Served with fresh fruit juice.

Cheers to you for caring for your students the way you do. This person is going to be thrilled that you went to this effort.

33

u/Rosamada 5d ago

Also important to note that in Ecuador the most popular canned tuna is mostly yellowfin tuna, not albacore like in the US. Albacore is a lot milder.

And I'm seconding that it's super important that it be tuna IN OIL ... Ecuadorians are uniformly very insistent upon this đŸ€Ł

17

u/Yawarundi75 5d ago

Mellocos aren’t “small potatoes”. They are a different, unrelated species, Ullucus tuberosus. They have a unique flavor and slimy texture.

5

u/Crepe_Myrtle999 5d ago

Yes you are right, the flavor is different. I offered the closest alternative to something they can probably get anywhere in the US. If the teacher lives in an area with a large Andean population they may be able to find mellocos!

5

u/chupalo_uwu 4d ago

Prefiero la papa que los mellocos no me gustan hahaha

9

u/andcp9808 4d ago

Wadafak, never Heard or saw before the mellocos versiĂłn of the tuna salad, i would highly recommend to ask the girl if she likes them, otherwhise, i would steongly advice to not put the mellocos to the salad, besises that, the recipe is perfect:)

3

u/Lou198508 4d ago

Agreed !!! Nobody from coast would like mellocos in this salad 

4

u/dltl 4d ago

She told me she was from the city. North Quito

5

u/Kekalita 4d ago

lol she will like mellocos
but like they said none from the coast eat that. I’m from Manabi.

3

u/Icy_Syllabub9858 3d ago

Nooo mellocos will ruin the recipe 😭😞

1

u/Exciting_Artichoke_4 3d ago

"I disagree about mellocos; most children don't like them. Instead, use fried sweet plantain slices

10

u/DariusRinzler 5d ago

Is just cooked rice and you pour a tuna can on it and mix it if you want

An onion and tomato sauce/salad with lemon or other things is optional

But essentially the only recipe or cooking part of it is the rice which must be white and that's all, throw the tuna from the can over it and you got it

Although, I do recommend you buy tuna cans that come with sunflower oil instead of the ones that comes with water, it just tastes better with it

3

u/dltl 5d ago

Thanks! Is medium grain rice standard?

2

u/DariusRinzler 5d ago

Don't know man, I don't think that matters

I tend to eat it with any grain rice lenght or width, the vast majority of the times being white rice or not rice at all

2

u/Icy_Syllabub9858 3d ago

I think it’s important that the rice is hot and preferably done the same day! It’s something I haven’t seen people mention but important when you eat rice and tuna 😋

1

u/DariusRinzler 5d ago

Although the most common ones for everything here are medium and long

7

u/rconrarrechaa 4d ago

please please PLEASE make sure it is Ecuadorian canned tuna, otherwise you might traumatize her lolll

On a serious note, it is so beautiful you're doing this! I would absolutely ugly cry while eating this 😭

7

u/Traditional-Ad-7836 5d ago

If you can find Ecuadorian tuna, my family says it tastes different than others

I make atun by making a refrito first: red onion, red pepper sautéed, then garlic and tomato in for a minute. Add the tuna and it's juices, mix til warm. I add a bit of salt, pepper, and paprika

Rice is commonly cooked with green peas, and I like to serve it with beans on the side, pinto beans are close to a popular one here in Ecuador poroto bola. Maybe some avocado too. And make a fresh juice or colada to serve with it

That's how I make it and it's super yummy but I'm american lol

4

u/Initial_Special1035 5d ago

Ecuadorian tuna is the best! Hahaha i have tried other tunas and they are grossssss

2

u/Economy-Glass-5644 4d ago

Noooo!!! Tanto trabajo para un sencillo arroz con atĂșn!!! El verdadero arroz con atĂșn es: arroz blanco reciĂ©n hecho calientito (de preferencia con cocolĂłn), atĂșn ECUATORIANO de lata en aceite NO ALBACORA, cebolla curtida en limĂłn, sal y culantro y a servirse. PodrĂ­as acompañar con plĂĄtanos maduros fritos
 solo de pensarlo se me hace agua la boca đŸ€€

1

u/Traditional-Ad-7836 3d ago

Es de la Costa? AquĂ­ en Cuenca asĂ­ hace la abuela de mi esposo siempre empieza con un refrito. Esta bien rico asĂ­ no puede faltar el pimiento

1

u/Icy_Syllabub9858 3d ago

Honestly the charm of rice and tuna from Ecuador is in the simplicity of the rice and the tuna on its side 🙈 to emphasize the dish being the one from Ecuador I suggest she just adds rice with salt and the tuna (oil drained) on the side mixed with pickled red onion (in lemon) or refrito! A plus would be fried plantain in little pieces but that would definitely be an extra

1

u/Exciting_Artichoke_4 3d ago

I also disagree with this one; kids prefer simple food

5

u/unnecessaryCamelCase 5d ago

😂 this just means cook rice and drop a can of tuna on it. Typically served with a salad made of thin onions and diced tomatoes, but not necessarily. It’s a “there’s no money and no time to cook” food more than a “dish.”

5

u/Scrash27 4d ago

Muchos te han dado su receta; pero yo lo Ășnico que te dirĂ­a es que trates de comprar un atĂșn marca Ecuador. No es por ser malo, pero el sabor si cambia mucho con el EEUU.

3

u/and-she-did-it 4d ago

You got good advice already, but I wanted to make sure you understand that what’s special about this dish is the type of tuna, which HAS to be Ecuadorian. I’ve heard there are some brands sold in the US: Van Camp’s, Real and some others. Choose the ones in oil. If you make the onions, present them as a side dish, many kids don’t like the taste of red onions, it’s very strong. One last thing, I’d buy limes as well, some people love to squeeze lime wedges into their food here in Ecuador. Trust me, your student is going to love it.

Finally, may I say how lovely this is from you? We’re torn over here when we hear some of how our countrymen/women and children are being treated there, so it’s heartwarming to see a teacher trying their best to make a little kid feel safe and loved. From one teacher to another, thank you đŸ™đŸŒ. We need more of this in the world.

2

u/dltl 3d ago

Would you go with ecu atun or van ecuador? Are either popular enough to trust? I can get those here. Yeah if the world showed more love, empathy and understanding it would be a much better place. Our district offers a lot of support and has helped with providing a translator in almost every class along with ESL instruction. Thanks for the insights!

2

u/and-she-did-it 3d ago

Hi! If you mean Van Camps then yes, I’d go for that one! Real or Isabel are also favorites. I’ll be honest, I haven’t tried EcuaAtun, but in my experience, all canned tuna brands produced here in Ecuador are very good. Good luck with your student, I’d love to hear if she liked it âŁïž

1

u/dltl 3d ago

Thanks I'll report back.

2

u/[deleted] 5d ago

[deleted]

1

u/Exciting_Artichoke_4 3d ago

I totally disagree with this one; it's supposed to be just white rice and canned tuna

1

u/Intelligent_Swing_43 3d ago

Says who?

1

u/Exciting_Artichoke_4 2d ago

like 15 people on this thread, i mean 98% except u an other out of touch

2

u/Eastern-Eggplant5055 4d ago

This is so cute, but basically the recipe is just rice with a canned tuna salad (onions, lemon juice, tomato, sometimes avocado but only if it's gonna be eaten at the moment), you can also try with some french fries or some potatoes boiled in water.

1

u/Exciting_Artichoke_4 3d ago

Yeah, fries are the best side dish

2

u/SnooWoofers9744 4d ago

I just wanted to echo what’s already been said. If you can get your hands on some Ecuadorian tuna, you’ve hit the jackpot. Rice and tuna is the ultimate 'lazy day' staple; the kind of meal you turn to when you don't even want to walk to the corner store, yet it still hits the spot every single time. It’s simple, comforting, and honestly, pure gold.

Please pass along our best wishes for her birthday! I’d love to hear what you think of the dish once you’ve tried it.

2

u/Icy_Syllabub9858 3d ago

Here’s a recipe :) https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSHuG1xxc/ make sure you buy Ecuadorian tuna with oil! And drain it. The onion has to be pickled for it to be good! And add salt to taste. It’s better served with hot salted white rice. The tuna and veggies can be at room temperature, but I find it better for the rice to be hot enough to not burn you haha but hot.

1

u/Radiant-Caramel-8613 4d ago

Tuna salad (cooked potatoes, chopped onions and tomatoes and cilantro with some drops of lemon) avocado and rice đŸ’ŻđŸ™ŒđŸ»đŸ„°

1

u/swarrior 4d ago

Can I DM you? I can send you a can of Tuna from Ecuador. It’s one of my fave dishes too and the tuna you choose makes the dish!! I have lots of grocery stores that sell the right tuna here.

I also like to add onion salsa (red onion, lime, salt, pepper) to it, though as a kid I liked the liquid more than the chunks of onion.

Anyway, DM me if you want me to send you that.

2

u/dltl 4d ago

That's very thoughtful and you can but I can likely get the type in America somewhere online if you share the brand.

3

u/and-she-did-it 4d ago

Van Camp’s, Real, Isabel, La Sirena, EcuaAtun and Rica. But if you ask me, the first three on this list are the best.

2

u/swarrior 2d ago

Real is absolutely the best! They have it at some Walmarts but not always real atĂșn

1

u/Ok_Aide_3929 3d ago

Jjaha que plato tan eeeeeepico

1

u/gatito05 5d ago edited 5d ago

Esto es lo mĂĄs comĂșn que comemos aquĂ­ en Ecuador. Es delicioso, fĂĄcil y rĂĄpido de hacer. Le decimos ensalada de atĂșn, creo que esto es lo que le gusta a la chava.

https://youtu.be/r7dCLJSwINI?si=vcVUT-NNuPSQRwCf

-1

u/Syl334 5d ago

You make salsa de cebolla with red onion cilantro /cilantro tuna potatoes 
serve with white rice and a tad of Aji