Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Staples & Specialties
Much of the country's cooking begins and ends with the humble potato. The tuber is from
Peru, where hundreds of local varieties are transformed into a mind-boggling number of
incredible dishes. Standouts include papa a la huancaína (potato bathed in a creamy
cheese sauce) and causa (an architectural potato terrine layered with seafood, vegetables
or chicken). Potatoes are also found in lomo saltado, the beef stir-fries that headline every
local menus.
Peruvians typically begin their day with corn tamales or a sandwich (on the coast) or
soup (in the highlands). Lunch is the main meal of the day and often includes three
courses, while dinner tends to be lighter.
The Coast
The coast is all about seafood - and ceviche
plays a starring role. A chilled concoction of
fish, shrimp or other seafood marinated in lime
juice, onions, cilantro and chili peppers, the fish
is cooked through a process of oxidation.
Fish is prepared dozens of other ways, too: al
ajo (in garlic), frito (fried) or a la chorrillana
(in white wine, tomatoes and onions). And other
seafood is employed in soups and stews such as
aguadito (a soupy risotto) and chupe (bisque).
None of this means that pork, chicken or beef
aren't devoured with great regularity. Aji de gal-
lina (chicken-walnut stew) is a classic. On the
north coast, arroz con pato a la chiclayana
(duck and rice simmered in cilantro) and seco
de cabrito (goat stewed in spices and beer) bear
repeat sampling.
Along the coast, where the Asian presence is
significant, you will also find Peruvian-Chinese
restaurants known as chifas . The cuisine is
Cantonese-inspired: simple dishes low on spice.
Peruvian
Dishes
1 CEVICHE - FRESH FISH MARINATED IN
LIME JUICE
2 AJÍ DE GALLINA - SHREDDED CHICKEN
IN SPICY WALNUT SAUCE
3 LOMO SALTADO - STIR-FRIED BEEF
WITH POTATOES
4 CHUPE DE CAMARONES - BUTTERY
SHRIMP BISQUE
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