I could live on chestnuts, I think. I'd roast them and eat them one by one, and when my stomach hurt from doing that I'd mash the remaining roasted nuts with vanilla bean seeds and honey or maple syrup or sugar syrup and maybe some almond milk depending on how thick I wanted it. … [Read more...] about Chestnut Flour Dinner Rolls
Sides
Warm Carrot, Orange and Endive Salad with Toasted Coriander
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
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
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
Three Salsas and the Ultimate Guacamole Recipe
I hate red or white onion in guacamole. Green (scallions) are acceptable since they're mild and add visual appeal without leaving you with onion breath. Fresh garlic has no place here either. Lemon is not lime no matter what they call it here in Peru. Key limes are the best for … [Read more...] about Three Salsas and the Ultimate Guacamole Recipe
Photos and Recipes from the 5th Annual Volk/Watson Extravaganza
The Christmas party was South and Central American-themed. That's a lot of ground to cover. Mostly it was Peruvian and Mexican under the thinly veiled charade of a "fiesta." Nobody complained. The margaritas, sangria and rum probably helped, but the ceviche, guacamole, and … [Read more...] about Photos and Recipes from the 5th Annual Volk/Watson Extravaganza
Dinner Party Menu Ideas, from Indian Ven Pongal or Lamb Saag to Ancho Chili-Rubbed Salmon with Sweet Chili Hollandaise
I have a saying: "You can't choose your family, but you can choose your dinner guests. I do think my family makes up the majority of my blog readership, however, so I'd better be careful what I say! So let me tactfully start by saying honestly that I love cooking for family. As … [Read more...] about Dinner Party Menu Ideas, from Indian Ven Pongal or Lamb Saag to Ancho Chili-Rubbed Salmon with Sweet Chili Hollandaise
Cumin-Coriander Green Beans
You don't need to be making lamb saag to make these green beans. It just helps because you'll already have the spices toasted and freshly ground. And that's important when the dish is so bland. The beans don't taste overly "Indian." So you can serve them with mashed potatoes and … [Read more...] about Cumin-Coriander Green Beans