Peruvian Cuisine - Recipes, Ingredients and Traditions of Peruvian gastronomy for the world

This fried starter is quite popular in many South American countries, with slight variations per city. Some peruvians say it was first prepared by soldiers who fought in the Pacific War. While walking long distances for several days, these soldiers would have to carry food with no bags, nor how to refrigerate it. Such a problem made them come up with a smart idea. They would cook and season the meat, and mix it with boiled potatoes until it would became a sort of dough. They would placed the meat inside and then fried it to make it consistent. True or not, that recipe is now wide spread in Peruvian culture, as part of street food tradition in many cities around the country. Try it yourself: Ingredients 3 large potatoes (if you have access to peruvian varieties such as white and yellow potatoes, it would be perfect) 1 peace cassava 300 grams of ground beef 1 yellow pepper 1 onion 2 teaspoon minced garlic 1 teaspoon of peruvian ají panca 1 tablespoon tomato sauce Parsley 2 eggs Flour Sa...

There's one very particular dish in Peruvian cuisine that stands out for it's ingredientes and cooking process, and that is  Cau Cau . It is a stew commonly prepared with chopped potatoes, yellow pepper and chicken or tripe (cow stomach). The origin of this dish, as well as that of its name, has several theories and not everyone agrees. In the first place, the creation of the cau cau is associated with the time of the Spanish colony, where Indian slaves and non-white people had limited access to ingredients and only had the frequently discarded parts. Hence the use of liver, intestines and stomach of the cow. Is it a coincidence that the pronunciation of the name Cau Cau sounds very similar to "Cow Cow"? Perhaps, but it also leads to amusing speculation about the origin of the recipe. Cau Cau Ingredients: 1.6 pounds tripe (mondongo) 2 tablespoons butter 2 sprigs spearmint Oil1 chopped onion 1 teaspoon garlic 1 cup diced carrots and peas 3 tablespoons yellow pepper ¼ ...

Known as one of the main seeds in Peruvian agriculture landscape, Kiwicha has been a popular ingredient for decades. The scientific name - Amaranthus caudatus Linnaeus - shows that its part of a large family of short-lived plants with dense flowers, and are cultivated in many parts of South America. The plant is also knows as "Amaranth" or "Love-lies-bleeding" and actually has a long history in the continent. There's clear evidence that it has been planted and manipulated 4 thousand years ago by the the Inca population. Kiwicha has an outstanding nutritional value and was considered by the Incas as a super food, even though they never used that term of course. A serving of pure grain has 15 to 18% protein (which helps build bones and muscles). To this is added a high percentage of calcium, iron, phosphorus and zinc. It's also rich in vitamin A - which has antioxidant properties and preserves the health and proper functioning of specific tissues, such as the...

This traditional dish originated in the andean city of Arequipa, but is now popular all over the country. Some say it's been prepared since the age of the Inca's empire. Messengers back then use to travel by running from city to city, carrying around a bag called " Ocopa ", with chili, pleanuts and herbs. The star ingredient is the Peruvian Black Mint herb, known as "Huacatay" in the Andean country. The presentation resembles the also famous Huancaína Potatoes, but with a lot of green color in it. Ingredients 2 pounds white potato 1 pound onion 1 pound white cheese (peruvian Queso Fresco) 7 ounces roasted peanut 6 green peppers (seeds or veins removed) 1 cup evaporated milk 4 mirasol peppers (seeds or veins removed) 1 cup black mint (peruvian huacatay) Olives (to decorate) 4 boiled eggs Lettuce leaves Oil and salt Preparation First boil, peel and cut potatoes into slices. In a frying pan, fry the green peppers, mirasol and the chopped onion. Put the fr...

Unique taste and a intense dark purple tone. This variety of corn grows in the Andean region of South America, and it's been used in Peruvian cuisine for more than two thousand years. In fact, it was called "moro sara" in the Inca Empire. Today is still one of the most iconic ingredients in Perú. Purple corn is the main ingredient of the refreshing "Chicha Morada" and the traditional "Mazamorra". Purple corn (Zea Mays) is rich in anthocyanins and therefore has some nutritional benefits that are worth mentioning. It' has antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties, and it also helps controlling hypertension. 7 Facts About Purple Corn: 1. "Chicha Morada" is the most traditional drink in the country, and it's made with Purple Corn, sugar, water, pineapple and cinnamon. 2.  Some ancient cultures in South America - before the Incas - were already preparing drinks with Purple Corn. 3. It's also used as colorant by many in...

Green and unique. Everybody loves " Arroz con Pollo " in Peru. Sure, the obvious combination of chicken and rice is not tied exclusively to this country. Actually it has mediterranean roots. But this version is quite different and certainly delicious. People in Lima prepare this dish really often every week, because it's simple, tastes really good and the ingredients are easy to get anywhere in the country. Adding corn or even dress the rice with the popular "huancaina" sauce are even greater variations. Ingredients: 1 chicken in pieces 1 onion diced in really small parts 1 smashed garlic 1 spoon of aji amarillo 1 diced carrot 1 cup of coriander 3 cups of rice 1 portion of beans 1 sliced pepper Preparation: Remove the skin and marinate the chicken with salt, garlic and aji amarillo for 50 minutes. Brown the chicken with oil for three minutes, using a pot. Put the chicken aside for a while, and use the same pot to cook the onion, carrot, aj...

Ah, chicken. It actually is the number 1 consumed protein in many countries around the world. Peruvian culinary traditions have found many ways to cook it, so we have created a ranking for you to inspire: 14. Coca-Cola Chicken Creative meal with a super-secret ingredient that contributes a sweet flavor (we're talking about Coke). Easy to cook and always served with white rice. 13. Salpicón Peruvian Salpicon is inspired in the European dish but with a local twist. Uses a lot of vegetables and shredded chicken. Makes a great entry for lunch time. 12. Peanut Sauce Chicken This dish has a tasteful mixture of spicy and sweet flavors. Peanut and other ingredients are easy to find at any supermarket around the world. Goes great with yellow potatoes and rice. 11. Chicken Diet A popular soup in Peru, this light meal has no spicy condiments. It contains mostly noodles, chicken and vegetables. 10. Aguadito with a slightly thick consistency, Aguadito is maybe the m...

Peruvian dishes and drinks are mostly result of unlikely fusions that turned out to be delicious. Chicha Sour is an uncanny drink that combines two of the most iconic products in Peru: purple corn and pisco. This is the sweet sister of the widely known "Pisco Sour" and a must in fancy bars of every city in the peruvian coast. The unique taste of this Pisco Sour Chicha and it's cold preparation - which includes ice and lemon - makes it the perfect cocktail for the summer. Ingredients for an amazing Chicha Sour: 6 ounces Pisco 2 ounces chicha syrup 1 ounce lemon juice 7 ice cubes 4 drops Angostura bitters 3 spoons egg white Chicha Sour Preparation: To prepare chicha syrup, boil chicha morada and add sugar until it gets syrup texture. When its ready and cold, put the syrup in a cocktail shaker, alongside the ice, pisco, lemon and egg white. Shake it for 30 seconds and serve. Add two drops of Angostura bitters on each cup. And enjoy! ...

Some traditional dishes in Peru have a strong influence from African immigrants that arrived in the XVIII century. One of those are the anticuchos, which are small pieces of grilled skewered meat, usually beef heart. The meat acquires a strong taste when marinated in vinegar and spices (such as cumin, aji pepper and garlic) and often come with a boiled potato, salad and corn. Ingredients: • 1 Beef heart or 500 grams / 2 lb of beef rump steak • Salt • 3 to 4 cloves of smashed garlic • ½ cup of red wine vinegar • 2 tablespoons of olive oil • 1 tablespoon of ground cumin • 1 large chili peppers, finely chopped without seeds Preparation: Work on the beef heart in order to get rid of veins and fat. Cut the heart or rump steak in small 3 to 4cm (1 to 1½ in) cubes. In a large bowl mix the vinegar, oil, salt, pepper, crushed garlic, chili pepper and ground cumin. Add the heart cubes and let the heart marinate for several hours or overnight. If you are using rump steak you do no...

Hot, delicious and unique. One of the most well known rocoto dishes in Peru is the rocoto relleno . This is a traditional entree from the Andean city of Arequipa , made with rocoto (chili pepper). Besides the meat, it can be stuffed with many another ingredients. As for the ideal stuffing, this beef mix contains beef, pork, onion, garlics, margarine (or butter), cream, peacans and it will be a heaven meal. Ingredients: • 7 rocotos with a wide base • 3/4 cup of red vinegar • 200 g (1/2 lb) of ground beef • 100 g (1/4 lb) of ground pork • 3 tablespoons of olive oil • 3 tablespoons of tomato sauce • 1/2 glass of dry white wine • 2 tablespoons of cream • 1/4 cup of ground peacans • 1/2 cup of beef stock • 1 tablespoon of aji panca paste • 6 small potatoes, cooked and peeled • 1 red onion, chopped • 2 cloves of garlic, ground • 1/4 cup or margarine or butter • 1/2 tablespoon of flour • 3/4 cup of mozzarella cheese • 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese • 2 tablespoo...

The famous Pisco sour, invented in Peru around 1900, is made with Pisco (a very classy grape brandy from the Andean country) and has a bit of bite of secret ingredients to create the balance in this creamy, frothy, limey drink. Ingredients: 3 cups of pisco 1 ½ cup of sugar 2 cups of lemon juice 1 egg's white Ice flakes Add drops of Amargo Angostura Preparation: First, prepare the PISCO SOUR only in a blender. Place the egg white and blend for a few seconds. Add the ice only until it reaches the middle of glass (this is the secret to get that the drink has a very heavy texture) move it and add all the ingredients but the Angostura. Mix it all. It might be necessary to add some ice water and rectify the quality of a great PISCO SOUR. Enjoy.

The tiradito is the brother of ceviche. However, we could say that this dish has a japanese greatgrandfather. Indeed, the influence of the many Japanese immigrants who came to South America in the nineteenth century is apparent in the way the fish is sliced rather than chopped, and ginger, soy, and other Japanese ingredients often find their way into the delicious Tiradito. Ingredients 1 1/4 lb flounder fillet (almost any fresh fish or shellfish will do) 4 tbsp of aji amarillo paste 2 aji limo, seeded, deveined cut into brunoise 2 tbsp cilantro in chiffonade 1 tsp minced garlic 2 tbsp of vegetable oil 4 tbsp key lime juice salt and white pepper Garnish: Cooked kernels from one fresh ear of peruvian choclo (corn) Fresh parsley chiffonade Preparation Use a clean big bowl to whisk together the key lime juice, salt, pepper, crushed garlic, aji limo, chopped culantro, aji amarillo paste, and vegetable oil. Keep chilled. Now cut the fish meat fillet into thin slices on the diagonal ...

One of the most emblematic brands in Peru, Inca Kola is a comercial drink that stands as a pride symbol for the peruvians. It is also known as Inca Cola or "the Golden Kola", and it's a soft drink with a sweet soft flavor from a herb called "Hierba Luisa". It was made by the Lindley family in Rimac, Lima in 1910, and today the brand is 60% owned by The Coca-Cola Company. It's important to say that Inca Kola is common in parts of South America, and while it has not enjoyed major success elsewhere, it can be found in Latin American specialty shops worldwide. This delicious soda is yellowish-gold in color, and sold in glass and plastic bottles of various sizes and a can of the same color with an Inca theme. Inca Kola Ingredients The company has released public information about the ingredients: Carbonated water high fructose corn syrup and/or sucrose citric acid sodium benzoate (to protect taste) caffeine artificial and natural flavors

There is a very particular and delicious way to prepare steaks in Peru. Try the "Bistec a lo Pobre" and you will understand what we are talking about. Ingredients: 4 sirloin steaks cut to 1/2 inch thickness 4 cloves garlic, mashed salt, pepper, cumin and smoked paprika to taste 2 large onions, sliced thinly 4 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and sliced thinly 1 packet Sazon seasoning (optional) 4 tbsp olive oil 4 extra large eggs Preparation The first step is to rub the steaks with the garlic. Season with the salt, pepper, cumin and smoked paprika. Set aside. Heat the oil in a large skillet or frying pan. Add the onions and potatoes and sprinkle with salt, pepper and the Sazon, if using. What's more, saute the onions and potatoes over medium to medium-high heat, until very tender, about 10 minutes. I find it helpful to cover the pan for the first several minutes and finish it uncovered. Remember to remove to a serving platter and keep warm. And in the same pan, sea...

The Suspiro is a traditional Peruvian dessert from the coastal cities. The preparation is easy and very simple, yet the flavour is outstanding. Ingredients 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 2 beaten egg yolks 2 beaten egg white 1 cup confectioners' sugar 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional) Preparation 1. In the first place, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, vanilla, and egg yolks in a saucepan. Then place over medium-low heat and gently cook until the mixture thickens, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, about 30 minutes. Pour into a heatproof serving dish and set aside. 2. Remember to whip the egg whites with confectioners' sugar to stiff peaks. Spread meringue on top of milk mixture. Refrigerate until cold, for 3 hours. Finally. sprinkle with cinnamon before serving.

Sitting in front of a delicious ceviche, Julio - the founder of Kiniro and all of the following projects - thought of a web that would spread the peruvian cuisine taste all over the world. That was the first step for the creation of this web site, which is now one of the most important sites dedicated to the gastronomy in Peru. With the right tools and knowledge, we made "Peruvian Cuisine" the most prominent and ambicious project of its kinds. And it's a pleasure for me to invite every peruvian cheff, student, restaurant owner and tourists in general, to enjoy and participate of it. Buen provecho!

Charming, magical and culturally rich, Peru is a large territory country located in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. In fact, this land was home to the Chavin and Mochica civilizations, some of the oldest in the world, and to the Inca Empire, the largest state in Pre-Columbian America. The Spanish Kingdom reach these lands to conquer the region in the 16th century. The King established a Viceroyalty, which included most of its South American colonies. After achieving independence in 1821, July 28th, Peru has undergone periods of political unrest and fiscal crisis as well as periods of stability and economic success. Info and Facts: Capital city: Lima Important cities: Trujillo, Piura, Cuzco, Arequipa Official languages: Spanish Independence declaration: July 28th, 1821 Land surface area: 1,285,220 km² Population estimate: 29,1...

One of the most traditional marine dishes of the Peruvian coast, the "Choros a la Chalaca" (Chalaca style mussels) is delicious, refreshing and exotic. Ingredients: 36 mussels (boiled until open, left intact on a half shell) 6 tomatoes (I use roma, finely diced) 3/4 cup cilantro (diced) 1 small red onion (finely minced) 1 (16 ounce) can yellow peppers (aji amarillo) 1 tablespoon msg 2 limes, juice of Preparation: First of all, place the can of aji amarillos with their juices in a blender and puree for 1 minutes. Then, place the tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and blended aji's in a large bowl. Add the msg and the lime juice. Place the mussels on a half shell on a serving platter and top each with one tablespoon of the Aji mixture. Finally, serve with a nice cold beer and enjoy!

A delicious modern dish from the coast of Peru, the Lomo Saltado is made with beef, onions and fried potatos to make a delicious combination. Ingredients: 2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil 1/2 Cup Onion -- sliced 2 Cloves Garlic -- minced 1/2 Cup Bell Pepper, Red Or Yellow -- chopped 1 1/2 Cups Potato -- cubed and cooked 1 Tablespoon Jalapeno Pepper -- diced 1/2 Pound Sirloin Steak -- sliced thin 1 Tomato -- chopped 1 Teaspoon Fresh Oregano Salt And Pepper -- to taste Preparation: In the first place, you must heat oil in a non-stick pan and saute onion, garlic and bell pepper. Add potato and cook, stirring occasionally, until potato just begins to brown. Add chile and steak. Saute a few more minutes. Stir in tomato, oregano, and pepper. Serve with steamed rice.

A soup from the coast of Peru, made with chicken and noodles. It has a strong taste and people usually eat it in the morning, specially after a party night. Ingredients for Caldo de Gallina: 1 5–6-lb. stewing chicken or hen 2 leeks, trimmed, roughly chopped, and washed well 2 ibs celery, roughly chopped 2 carrots, roughly chopped 1 1" piece ginger, peeled and smashed 1 head garlic, halved crosswise 6 medium yukon gold potatoes, peeled and left whole 6 oz. dried egg noodles Kosher salt, to taste 6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and halved 2 tbsp. chopped cilantro 4 scallions, thinly sliced 2 limes, quartered 1 fresh red chile (such as fresno), stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped Preparation: We must start by rinsing the chicken under cold water and remove and discard giblets (or set aside for another use). Put chicken, leeks, celery, carrots, ginger, garlic, and 5 quarts cold water into an 8-quart stockpot. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to mediu...