Ecuador’s specialty dish, viche, comes from the province of Manabi.
Nearing the end of the alphabet, Frizztext’s story challenge for this week is for the letter “V.” How lucky I am to live in the province of Manabi, home to an amazing culinary specialty we know as ‘viche.’ Also spelled, “biche,” this hearty seafood soup combines a variety of fresh vegetables, ripe and unripe plantains in a unique peanut-based broth.
Rather than making a poor attempt at describing how this soup is made, I am steering you to Laylita, who shares amazing recipes from her home country of Ecuador! Her version of biche can be found HERE.
Although I have never made viche, I enjoy sampling and comparing the different versions between the local restaurants. Some have chunks of fresh fish; others have shrimp; a few are packed with fish, shrimp and perhaps a small lobster! Ah, perusing the photos makes me suddenly hungry for another serving!
frizztext v
Viche – Not to be confused with Ceviche!
As I finish this post, the first true rain dances across the roof of the riverhouse! The dry season comes to an end, and the rainy season slowly begins! Yes, a comforting bowl of viche pairs well with the sound of rainfall!
Z
Zeebra Designs & Destinations 
It’s lunch time here, and suddenly I feel hungry.. 🙂
yes, those images do trigger one’s appetite! thanks! z
looks delish! yum
si! it is for sure! z
nice recipe! we eat in this season pumpkin-soup with ginger …
that sounds equally nice.. creamed? they make a great carrot soup that uses pureed potatoes instead of milk, and wow is it ever great!
z
I like V.. that looks wonderful and so yummy!!
yes, it is yummy! i never ‘say no’ to viche! z
Thanks for turning me on this recipe. I will have to give it a try. When we visited Costa Rica and lived in Mexico we fell in love with their food. 🙂
viche is very comforting! in ecuador, the ‘blue plate special’ always includes a soup, and people elect to have it with soup or without. on a hot day, i pass on the soup, but i never pass when the soup is viche! z
Oh, the soup looks so good!
Hugs,
Kathy
it is good! ecuador is known for its noon ‘almuerzo’ specials, and there’s always the option of soup for the ‘first’ and the main plate for the ‘second.’ you see more cream soups in the andes/sierra and more light soups on the coast.
z
That soup looks mighty inviting and makes me look at the letter V in a whole different light.
what a great comment! thank you! hopefully you’ll experience viche one day! it’s so soothing! z
Sensational!
thank you, and oh so delicious! z
“A” is for this award I am sending your way! Wear it in good health!http://hughcurtler.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/blog-award/
Wonderful photos of Viche…this makes me very hungry. I have not had Vishe for at least 35 + years. I think I will be making some soon. Thank you for sharing and making me hungry 😉
that would be great if you cooked viche for the holidays! z
Never heard nor seen the Viche when I was there! sure looks delicious! almost got me with the ce-viche thing! 😉 Great photos… makes everybody’s mouth water?!?
and because I truly enjoy reading you and greatly appreciate your visits, I’ve nominated you for the Wonderful Team Member Readership Award! Please read here for more details on how to spread it around if you wish to accept it. http://lespetitspasdejuls.wordpress.com/2012/11/29/theres-a-great-reader-in-each-and-everyone-of-us/
Have a wonderful day!
Jul’
thanks so much amiga! viche is a specialty of manabi province.
thanks, also, for the readership award nomination! i’m heading to that post now!
z
I didn’t go to Manabi Province… a shame, as I can gues… next time! I always think there can be a “next time”! Cheers! Most welcome for the award! thank YOU to be around!
Yummy!
I’m enjoying your blog. I will be in Manta for New Year’s for about 10 days. I go to Ecuador about every three months so this is my first trip to Manabi Province. And I’ve heard about viche! Any suggestions for Manta are welcome!
Thank you! It would be great to meet you, though I am not sure yet where i will be at the end of the year. Ano viejo is my favorite holiday in Ecuador! Haver you experienced ano viejo here?
I’m traveling and will be home tonight. More soon!
z
My friend in Quito tells me that the city is alive with festivities this week. I’m looking forward to going back and seeing different places in Quito. We will be going to Manta, Banos, Cayambe, Otavalo, Cochesqui and Quito. I’ve been to Banos and Otavalo but am looking forward to going back. I don’t know about Ano Viejo so something else to experience! If you are in Manta, write and we can connect. Looking forward to reading more of you blog too!
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