Peru is known for its high mountain vistas and ancient ruins. People visiting this unique country enjoy exploring the majestic Inca City of Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail, Cusco’s Architectural treasures, Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon, and Nazca Lines. However, it is also home to a unique culinary experience, with the exceptional food and dishes in the country going international. For instance, there are more Peruvian restaurants globally than inside Peru. This is because Peruvian cuisine is unique and offers the most delicious dishes one can ever imagine.
The cooking in Peru involves various mixes and flavors; it is acidic and starchy, hot and cold, robust and delicate. Peruvian food is all about flavors and spices. Here’s is a guide to help people learn about the most amazing and delicious Peruvian food and dishes.
This Delicious Peruvian National Dish Is A Must-Try
When Peru’s national dish, ceviche, was created, it started with five simple ingredients, including sea bass, known as Corvina in Peru, onion, hot chiles, lime juice, and salt. However, many countries copied the dish with their variations, adding octopus, shrimp, tomatoes, scallops, tostada chips, and other ingredients. This gave ceviche a much more International feel and reputation. The meal is tastiest when served with crisp onion, creamy sweet potato, and sides of starchy boiled corn, which gives the ceviche a tender taste. People can add dry-roasted corn kernels to provide the dish with a pleasing crunch.
The Lomo Saltado or Stir-Fried Beef is as popular as ceviche and represents a fusion of classic Peruvian ingredients and Chinese stir-frying. This unique dish consists of soy-marinated beef strips, alpaca, tomatoes, onions, aji chilies, and other spices.
All the ingredients are cooked together, stir-fried, and then served with French fries and a mound of rice. People can eat Stir-Fried Beef anywhere in the world in Peruvian restaurants, and of course, they can try the unique dish all around Peru.
The Aji de Gallina or the creamy chicken is another delicious Peruvian meal consisting of shredded chicken mixed with a tasty sauce made of ground walnuts, cream, aji Amarillo, and cheese. The meal is served in Peru’s households and restaurants with rice, black olives, and boiled potatoes.
These Peruvian Potatoes And Pig Dishes Are So Tasty Everyone Should Try Them
The Papas a la Huancaina dish or potatoes in spicy cheese sauce consists of meat or starch covered in a creamy sauce. This is usually served as an appetizer or a side dish to a meal. It includes boiled purple potatoes and a unique sauce garnished with crackers, olives, and eggs. The Papas a la Huancaina is served every day throughout Peru and has originated from the city of Huancayo. Another Peruvian dish worth tasting is the Cuy or Guinea pig, consisting of tender, smoky dark meat stuffed with local herbs and served with potatoes. People can add aji sauce to the dish for a much better taste. Moreover, the Cuy is eaten by hand like fried chicken. However, some restaurants enjoy serving the meal braised or deep-fried in various areas in Peru, from Cusco to Lima.
The Causa or Potato Casserole is a unique Quechan dish usually served as a casserole, cake roll, terrine, and other colorful servings. The meal consists of meaty mashed yellow Peruvian potatoes mixed with oil, lime, and aji Amarillo sauce. Moreover, shredded salmon, tuna, or chicken are blended with layers of avocado, mayo, olives, and hard-boiled eggs. This fantastic meal is served as a cold salad or a side dish.
These Peruvian Pepper And Meat Dishes Are So Unique And Delicious
The Peruvian Rocoto Relleno meal consists of red aji rocoto chilies stuffed with cooked onions, olives, raisins, ground beef, herbs, garlic, and spices. The stuffed spicy peppers are then topped with queso fresco. Furthermore, the whole mix is then baked in an egg-and-milk sauce. This meal originated in Arequipa, a southern region in Peru. Although the Rocoto Relleno is served throughout the country, it didn’t cross the borders of Peru as with other Peruvian dishes. This is why it is worth taking a trip to Peru to try this uniquely delicious dish.
The Anticuchos de Corazòn, or grilled heart, is a delicious dish in Peru and is loved by many. It consists of an alpaca or beef crimson heart marinated in vinegar, cumin, garlic, and ají. Moreover, it is grilled over charcoal. Anticuchos de Corazòn is best served on skewers with sliced potato or onion, to which lime is added. The grilled heart is considered a street food or an appetizer throughout Peru. Additionally, cooks in the country make Anticuchos with chicken, and any beef cut today, not only with the heart. However, nothing beats the traditional form and origins of the meal.
Other unique Peruvian dishes that people must try in Peru or restaurants worldwide include the Arroz con Pato or rice with duck and the Pollo a la Brasa or roasted chicken.