Peruvian ceviche The Pride of Peru Although many Latin American countries lay claim to ceviche, I'm going to remain unashamedly biased, and uphold Peru's claim to the dish. Gastón Acurio, from one of Lima's top restaurants Astrid y Gastón agrees, explaining that because of Lima's prominent position on the coast and its strategic importance as a trading base for the Spanish conquistadores, dishes like ceviche quickly spread to other Spanish colonies, and became assimilated into their own local cuisine. Although there are many variations, even within Peru, ceviche is essentially strips of raw fish which are 'cooked' in lime juice. In Peru it's usually served up with red onion, cilantro (coriander), aji amarillo - a flavoursome and spicy indigenous chili pepper, sweet potato and choclo, a local variety of corn with giant kernals. Whilst there are a wide array of restaurants we can recommend for you try this classic dish, my colleagues and I recently had some exciting ceviche experiences that we'd like to share. Lima with Zest Matt, Erika, Silvana and Claudia from Aracari's sales team recently went on Aracari's Lima with Zest tour - one of our best selling experiences in Lima. Led by local chef Penelope Alzamora this is a great hands-on introduction to Peruvian food, including a cooking lesson where you prepare ceviche and other classic Peruvian dishes. For a full description of Lima with Zest, check out our previous blog about the experience. I recently opted for a truly local experience, at a bustling marketing in Lima. The freshest ceviche in town A great experience is to eat Peru’s celebrated national dish right in the fish market. Last Saturday, bright and early, I headed to Mercado Central in downtown Lima. The market sprawls across two levels of an entire city block, and spills out into the streets and buildings that surround it. I found a popular local fish
Peruvian ceviche The Pride of Peru Although many Latin American countries lay claim to ceviche, I’m going to remain unashamedly biased, and uphold Peru’s claim to the dish. Gastón Acurio, from one of Lima’s top restaurants Astrid y Gastón agrees, explaining that because of Lima’s prominent position on the coast and its strategic importance as…
Peru with flavour Peruvian food is now well established on the world’s gastronomic map. With Michelin-starred restaurants in Lima and cities across the world, more people are getting to know the culinary delights of Peru. While it’s great to sample food from a distant country in your own city, nothing beats culinary travel -getting to know a country through your taste buds. In this culinary blog series, we’ll introduce you to some of Peru’s iconic dishes that will have you booking a flight and a table for as soon as you land! Causa - so much more than mashed potato The potato. Most people know that this humble root hails from Peru. The country boasts nearly 3,000 varieties in all shapes, sizes and subtle flavour distinctions, so it’s not surprising that potato is a staple of Peruvian cuisine, and used in many dishes. When you think of mashed potatoes, you often think of a dish that’s heavy, starchy and certainly served hot. So encountering causa is a surprise for all your senses. First of all, who would have known that mashed potatoes can be so aesthetically pleasing! Causa features tuna or chicken, layered with silky smooth mashed potato and a vegetable layer, often avocado. The colourful layers are often topped with drizzles of sauces, and other vibrant garnishes. Taking a taste leads to more surprises. Causa is served cold, and the layers are flavoured with delicate hints of lime and aji amarillo - the delightfully flavoursome orange chilli pepper that is ubiquitous to Peruvian cuisine. The result is light, refreshingly lifting flavours. Nothing of the heaviness or blandness you might expect from mashed potatoes. A bite that cuts through the layers, results in an explosion of flavours in your mouth. Causa is a Limeño classic, enjoyed especially in the summer, often as a
Peru with flavour Peruvian food is now well established on the world’s gastronomic map. With Michelin-starred restaurants in Lima and cities across the world, more people are getting to know the culinary delights of Peru. While it’s great to sample food from a distant country in your own city, nothing…
National Ceviche Day The first dish that comes to mind when most people think of Peruvian cuisine is ceviche...and for good reason. A source of pride and national identity here in Peru, the tasty dish, which in its simplest form consists of fresh raw fish marinated in lime juice, has been around for over 500 years and holds a significant cultural importance. So much so, that in 2008, Peru’s Ministry of Production named June 28th a national holiday, National Ceviche Day, celebrating and showcasing the country’s national dish. Ceviche: Peru's National Dish Widely consumed all around the country, this emblematic dish is the perfect combination of an addictive amount of spice, tanginess, and fresh fish flavor. According to the traditionalists, a good Peruvian ceviche is composed of only five ingredients - fresh fish, onion, chili peppers, lime juice, and salt - and it is typically accompanied by choclo (corn) and sweet potato. However, that doesn’t stop chefs from creating their own preparations and combinations, and all throughout Peru you can find different takes on ceviche. Some incorporate different types of seafood, herbs like cilantro, and others utilize asian elements like yuzu and soy sauce. The possibilities are endless. Read more on our guide to Peruvian ceviche. Recommended restaurants in Lima for ceviche In honor of the holiday, here are a few of the best restaurants in Lima to enjoy ceviche: El Mercado - Another hit from top chef Rafael Osterling, serving delicious Creole seafood favourites in a variety of different house styles with both local and international influences. Pescados Capitales - Well prepared traditional seafood dishes with playful names related to the seven capital sins La Mar - A well-established Gaston Acurio restaurant that can now be found around the world as far as New York and San Francisco Download
National Ceviche Day The first dish that comes to mind when most people think of Peruvian cuisine is ceviche…and for good reason. A source of pride and national identity here in Peru, the tasty dish, which in its simplest form consists of fresh raw fish marinated in lime juice, has…
