Api is the name of a beverage made with purple corn flour. It is very common to find this drink in the Andes, Perú and Bolivia and northern parts of Argentina.
The first time I had API, I had no idea what it was but it was so cold in Cusco and that beverage was hot and aromatic and that was enough for me to say yes and I am so grateful I gave myself the chance to taste it. Usually, they sell it together with an empanada, not the usual one but a bigger size with little cheese and inflated so it is sort of crunchy, it’s yummy.
I was in Cusco a few days ago, so on my last day I went to Mercado San Pedro to get some amaranth, Maras’ pink salt and I found smoked salt which will be great for a plate at Las Vecinas and I asked for API and my “casera” had it so I bought 500 gr that will be more than enough to start playing with it.
This oatmeal recipe comes from the traditional one, however, I always like to put my touch and make it mine. I am adding the api to it, for a touch of flavor and also because it is a super food, hemp is another ingredient i find fascinating and versatile so I am using it here too. I feel so lucky to be able to acquire ingredients such as the purple corn flour at a good price and other ingredients too. If you can’t find purple corn flour, you can buy the whole one, i know they sell it because my mom gets it in the states at the Latino markets, so you can get it and grind it.
So here we go!
Ingredients
1/2 cup oatmeal (soaked overnight with water)
1/4 cup amaranth flakes
1/2 cup water or milk( vegan milk of your choice can add more flavors)
1tsp organic vanilla
1 1/2 tsp organic cinnamon powder
1 tsp organic coconut oil
1tbsp of api (purple corn flour)
1 1/2 tbsp of honey
1 banana
Pomegranate
Coconut flakes
Hemp
Method:
Rinse the overnight soaked oatmeal and pour it in a small pot with water(or milk if your prefer) on medium to low heat.
Add the amaranth, vanilla, honey, cinnamon, api, coconut oil and bring it to a simmering stage.
Mix all ingredients until you get a creamy texture and add the banana, cut in slices, not too thin, mix in.
This will take like 6-8 min max. Remove pot from heat and pour it in a bowl, add coconut flakes, nuts if you like and the pomegranate. The purple that the purple corn flour brings makes this oatmeal even more appetizing… desirable.
You can add sliced apples too, to make it even more satisfying.
Enjoy!!
