This is a simple salad that looks awfully fancy. Taking the extra few minutes to toast and grind the coriander seeds is the secret to being a fake gourmet. And if you're going to grind the coriander seeds you may as well grind the black peppercorns while you're at it. Can't find … [Read more...] about Warm Carrot, Orange and Endive Salad with Toasted Coriander
All Recipes
Slow-Cooker Vegetarian Mixed Bean Chili with Parsnips, Carrots and Eggplant
This is the ultimate quick-fix meal. It takes forever to cook (either stove top or slow-cooker) if you use dried beans (and you should), but it's simple because you just toss in whatever vegetables you have (almost) and lots of dried spices. It's very economical, it's fresh, and … [Read more...] about Slow-Cooker Vegetarian Mixed Bean Chili with Parsnips, Carrots and Eggplant
Red Lentil Dal with Broccoli, Peppers and Toasted Coconut, and Comfort Food for Snowy Winters
I keep seeing cockroaches. In the street, on the metro...They're not really there, but it always takes an extra second after my head has remarked, "Oh, a cockroach," for it to subsequently think, "No it's not. I'm not in Lima anymore." That's not to say there aren't cockroaches … [Read more...] about Red Lentil Dal with Broccoli, Peppers and Toasted Coconut, and Comfort Food for Snowy Winters
Flambéed Plantains and Figs with Rum and Cinnamon
I met an Australian surfer in Lima at The House Project. He hit the water morning and evening almost every day for the three weeks or so that I knew him. We never really had a conversation until I saw him carrying a bottle of rum and a lighter. That wasn't so unusual, but then I … [Read more...] about Flambéed Plantains and Figs with Rum and Cinnamon
Home, and Stuffed Caihua with Huacatay Sauce
There are a handful of things that feel strange after leaving Peru yesterday. 1. Drinking from a water fountain 2. Throwing toilet paper in the toilet 3. Having hot water come from a tap 4. Turning on the heat 5. Seeing a mango on my kitchen counter 6. Worrying about unwashed … [Read more...] about Home, and Stuffed Caihua with Huacatay Sauce
Miso and Balsamic Glazed Eggplant (Nasu Dengaku à la Peru)
At Japanese restaurants I usually end up getting ripped off. The problem is I really like the savoury, homestyle vegetarian dishes. That means natto (fermented soybeans), chawanmushi (egg custard), and nasu dengaku (grilled eggplant with a sweet miso sauce). These dishes should … [Read more...] about Miso and Balsamic Glazed Eggplant (Nasu Dengaku à la Peru)
Miso-Ginger Purple Peruvian Yams (or Sweet Potatoes) and Lemony Root Vegetables
"Como se cocina?" How do I cook it? When I find something strange at local farmers markets I usually buy it, just to figure out what to do with it. At the Bioferia organic market here in Lima there's a stall that only sells sweet potatoes, yams and these strange gnarly root … [Read more...] about Miso-Ginger Purple Peruvian Yams (or Sweet Potatoes) and Lemony Root Vegetables
Canihua Soba Noodles with Soy Dipping Sauce
Soba noodles are supposed to be made with a 4:1 ratio of buckwheat flour to wheat flour. I don't eat wheat flour, and buckwheat flour isn't available in Lima, Peru, so I made a local version of soba noodles with rice flour and the baby sister of quinoa - canihua. It's a seed, not … [Read more...] about Canihua Soba Noodles with Soy Dipping Sauce
Seared Amazonian Paiche Fish with Huacatay Yellow Potatoes, Avocado and Coca Leaf Rice
Food is cheap in Lima, but quality food is not. So I finally got cooking to both save money and eat better. It's comforting to know exactly what I'm putting in my body instead of wondering if I'll be okay if I eat something at a restaurant. There's a fish called "paiche" - river … [Read more...] about Seared Amazonian Paiche Fish with Huacatay Yellow Potatoes, Avocado and Coca Leaf Rice
Almazen – Organic Vegetarian Restaurant in Lima, Peru
This did not happen at Almazen, but what do you do after being poisoned by dairy at a restaurant (I'm lactose intolerant. Maybe "poisoned" is too strong), a long argument with servers, being offered another meal after you tell the server you're going to throw up, and feeling as … [Read more...] about Almazen – Organic Vegetarian Restaurant in Lima, Peru