Food – Unconventional Travel

Cooking with Peruvian clay pots and check out that awesome Peruvian potato.

November 2, 2020May 15, 2011 by Scotty

Well I am the proud owner of a Peruvian clay pot bought in a local market for about 15 Nuevo Soles. My girlfriend is used to cooking with these types of pots and it was something new to me. My first thought was, “it will probably break after the first meal.” But no, she tells me that they usually last for up to 3 to 4 months.

We have cooked rice and potatoes in it for about 3 weeks now and it still looks pretty new except for getting a little black on the bottom from the gas stove. The clay pot cleans up pretty easy.

I will attest that the food tastes better than cooking in a stainless steel pot or maybe its just you expect it to taste better.

Take a look at that potato dish that was cooked in the Peruvian clay pot. To die for!

Now this is an unfolding story that I’m going to put together in between my chores of herding Alpaca at the farm. I will put the recipe together for you and do an article on Peruvian potatoes.

Now this Peruvian potato is called (Chiara Emilla) and some have really deep purple streaks throughout. You have to keep a rather close eye on them when you cook them or they get water logged pretty easy if over cooked.

The perfectly greasy alpaca served in a plastic baggie on a bus in Peru, South America.

November 2, 2020February 21, 2011 by Scotty

If you happen to get lucky on a bus between the towns of Arequipa and Puno, Peru and the bus stops to allow a Peruvian lady to board and sell her deliciously greasy alpaca. Then I have one word for you…buy! Santa Lucia, Peru is the town the lady is from to be exact my friend just informed me. My friend was telling me about the Peruvian lady and we hoped our bus would be the lucky one.

The bus suddenly braked hard and a lady dressed in traditional Peruvian highland clothing boarded and reached into her white bucket and removed the brightly covered cloth covering the plastic bags of alpaca. I immediately said I would buy two bags of alpaca. She handed me two warm bags and I paid her 6 Nuevo Sols ( 2.25 USD.)

Imagine a lightly greasy cheap plastic baggie filled with perfectly cooked alpaca, red Peruvian potatoes and big Peruvian kernels of corn served warm on a cold bus ride high in the lightly snow covered mountains of Peru, South America.

This is the kind of food you want to eat with your fingers and be sitting on a cold bus in the mountains of Peru to thoroughly enjoy. The alpaca was perfectly greasy and the small red potatoes and big corn kernels had a hint of the alpaca grease.

It’s the simple things of travel you remember the most.

Lip smacking good to the last morsel is all I can say.

Coca tea, “it’s the real thing!”

January 29, 2011 by Scotty

Here in Peru you can buy the coca leaf legally in a pulverized form of flour (harina), which can be used to make a tea. Just add a teaspoon of coca flour to a cup of hot water and you have yourself a refreshing cup of tea. The effect is similar to a cup of coffee.

Traditional Christmas celebrated in Lima, Peru.

November 20, 2021December 29, 2010 by Scotty

One thing you can bet on seeing in the homes of Peruvians during Christmas is Panettone and hot chocolate. Panettone is similar to a fruitcake, but only lighter.

Recipe for Panettone by Mario Batali from the Food Network here.

Celebrating Christmas Eve in Central Lima, Peru I was treated to the traditional Peruvians sweets during this time of year. Once the clock strikes midnight and the madness of the fireworks subsides, the sweet hot chocolate is poured and the Panettone is gently removed from its wrapper and sliced.

A prayer is spoken silently to ones self. Then the toast of hot chocolate and the panettone is served. I found the Panettone rather nice. Fluffy, candied fruits and not to sweet… perhaps sums it up on the taste.

Chupe (Peruvian Seafood Chowder)

December 11, 2010 by Scotty

Chupe is a traditional dish in Peru, South America. Outside the markets in Surquillo near Miraflores you can usually find someone cooking Chupe and other traditional Peruvians foods.

Boiled Shrimp in Salt Water

June 16, 2010 by Scotty

Ingredients:

2 lbs of big fresh shrimp bought from an old toothless man with a big grin. His big cooler should be pretty well worn and kept in the middle of his shack. It also helps that he has old fishing net strewn about, so you are sure to get tangled in it. Maybe an old lazy dog with three legs adds a little extra fun.

Guatemala Tortilla with Avocado

January 22, 2010 by Scotty

A nutritional snack/meal for 60 cents in Guatemala. When I’m in the mood for a simple meal and not wanting to do dishes, I make a quick trip to the market and gather these ingredients. I’ll sit outside my room with a nice view and open my trusty pocketknife and slap these ingredients on a hot fresh tortilla. Squeeze some lime and green picante sauce on top and enjoy nature’s bounties. Also nice to take on a day hike.

Tortilla
Avocado
Tomato
Garlic
Onion
Lime
Green Picante Sauce

Typical meal in Guatemala for less than 2 US dollars.

November 2, 2020December 23, 2009 by Scotty

This chicken meal will cost you about 15 Q in Guatemala. That is about 2 US dollars and includes the drink. The basket in the left rear has some tortillas in it. It’s a pretty filling meal and these family run restaurants are pretty clean. They even brought me a bowl of soup to eat with my meal that was included.

Fried Green Tomatoes

November 5, 2009 by Scotty

Green Tomatoes (bought from some old farmer on the side of the road in overalls)
White Flour
Stone Ground Corn Meal
Sea Salt & Fresh Ground Pepper
Fresh Brown Eggs
Canola Oil or your favorite oil

Famous Amos Potato Salad

July 1, 2009 by Scotty

When not pursuing his favorite sport of chasing balls around the house. Amos puts his skills to work in the kitchen.