I splurged on the better cut of alpaca, because you kind of have to when you only have one chance to try to meat. At Creperie Patrick in Huaraz, Peru, Maureen and I really wanted the cuy special, but it was breaded. It ended up being two tiny pieces of deep-fried leg or … [Read more...] about My First Alpaca at Creperie Patrick in Huaraz, Peru
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
Two Gringas, One Combi and the Chancos Thermal Baths
"Just our luck. Two gringas," says a man squished into the front seat of a small public transport van with his wife, the driver and a dog. In the back, 20 field hands, bank workers, grandmothers/herb and grain sellers, and children fill three rows of seats meant for 3 people each … [Read more...] about Two Gringas, One Combi and the Chancos Thermal Baths
13 Buhos in Huaraz and Lucho’s Beer
No, I didn't drink it. Gluten-free me had a rum and ginger ale and lime at 13 Buhos in Huaraz, Peru. Fortunately Peru makes a lot of rum and it's not bad. Boy is it strong, though. Especially when your body hasn't completely adjusted to the high altitude. 3000 metres up is an … [Read more...] about 13 Buhos in Huaraz and Lucho’s Beer
Lima’s Best Cevicherias: La Mer and Pescados Capitales aren’t the only places for quality, sustainable lime and chili-marinated fish
I ate a lot of ceviche in Lima. In the name of research and pleasure, of course. I sought out sustainable options, but Lima doesn't always know what sustainable means in the first place. Farmed fish fed wild fishfeed? Not so sustainable, especially if it's laced with antibiotics. … [Read more...] about Lima’s Best Cevicherias: La Mer and Pescados Capitales aren’t the only places for quality, sustainable lime and chili-marinated fish
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
Adventures with Batman: Rockclimbing in Huaraz
I'm in Huaraz now in the Cordillero Bianco, rockclimbing with a friend from Lima and some local friends of friends from PIRQA, the rockclimbing gym in Miraflores. We've had two days on the rock - first at Los Olivos, a short combi ride up a winding mountain road from downtown, … [Read more...] about Adventures with Batman: Rockclimbing in Huaraz