Being a hispanic in the states has one great advantage: food. Latinos know how prepare a great dish, come any day or celebration. Living in Miami is one perfect gateway to a variety of latin american cuisines. However, being Peruvian, I have to say, my country beats them all. Peruvian dishes are best known for their unique flavor from spices to herbs. It has been named one of the best cuisine in the world.
From the sea to the land, the options are endless. Over the years, it has developed culinary fusion with the Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, and much more thanks to the cultural exchange that was occurring during the time with the Incas. Now, going into every dish would be impossible, which is why I am here to tell you about the top 5 Peruvian dishes you must try once in your life.
1. Lomo Saltado
Possibly one of my favorite dishes ever, this dish has flavors that explode in the mouth. What does it contain exactly? Beef, onions, tomatoes, cilantro and ají amarillo paste all sautéed together in soy sauce. Some chefs, like my father, like to make the dish ‘flambeado’ which is using intense heat and flames from fire. Fries are also served and mixed in. Fun fact: potatoes were the first food to be grown in Peru. Served with rice, it is a meal that you want to keep getting seconds with. Chicken can also be used (Pollo Saltado) and instead of rice, pasta is incorporated and mixed in (Tallarine Saltado). Which ever one you try, you’ll appreciate the flavor of cilantro, onions, and tomatoes.
2. Ceviche
While I’m not a fan of this dish, the rest of the world loves this meal. Peru has a beautiful cost that opens the gates to a large variety of seafood. This dish only uses lime juice to cook the raw fish. As odd as it sounds, this is what one would find in any Peruvian restaurants. The fish gets sautéed in lime juice mixed with cilantro, aji amarillo paste (yellow chili pepper), rocoto chili pepper paste, celery and served with raw red onions, boiled sweet potato and white Andean corn, choclo (less sweet than yellow corn). It is then placed in a plate with a large lettuce leaf for decoration. If you loved the sour taste of the juice, what is left of the ceviche juice called leche de tigre, can be enjoyed at your request.
3. Tallarines Verdes
While the dish looks like any pesto pasta, I’m here to tell you that no pesto compares to this spinach dish. What is is exactly? The sauce is composed of spinach, basil, queso fresco, milk and pecans. When liquified, it turns into a beautiful green sauce and it is mixed with spaghetti and sometimes even served with sautéed beef. My mom likes to fry plantains and serve it with the dish for a little sweet companion. If I had to eat one dish for the rest of my life, it would be this.
4. Arroz Con Pollo
5. Ají De Gallina
This dish is one of the simplest. As funky as it looks, it is just shredded chicken with a spicy paste. The paste is milk, chicken stock, ají amarillo, bread (for texture) and chopped onions. The chicken is first boiled and then shredded. Mix the chicken and sauce and you have a delightful dish. It is served with rice, boiled potato and a hard boiled egg on top for decoration.
There are plenty of more dishes and desserts, but hopefully, you’re convinced to try these five amazing dishes soon!
