Monthly Archives: February 2013

Peruvian Pop-up Dinners at 18 Reasons

Peruvian Pop-up at 18 Reasons

Peruvian Pop-up Dinners at 18 Reasons

Last Tuesday’s rainy night in San Francisco was the perfect setting for preparing a Parihuela seafood soup at the first Peruvian Pop-up dinner of 2013 at 18 Reasons. And like every time I cooked dinner there, I was excited to be sharing Peruvian food and culture with the 18 Reasons community. But the night was also bittersweet for me because it was the last time I would be working with Olivia, the Program Coordinator at 18 Reasons. Since August of 2011, we worked together on 6 Peruvian pop-up dinners and 1 Pisco cocktail class, and the menus we prepared showcased the unique culinary history of Peruvian cuisine. Here’s how we did it.
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Mardi Gras Pisco Sour

Mardi Gras Pisco Sour

Mardi Gras Pisco Sour

So far, February has had weekly celebrations that have inspired new cocktails and recipes on Pisco Trail. First, we had National Pisco Sour Day and the Habanero Pisco Sour. Then, Chinese New Year and the Arroz Chaufa, or Chinese-Peruvian Fried Rice. This week, we have Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras? Why am I writing about Mardi Gras? Simple, I love New Orleans. Its food traditions are very similar to Peru’s in many ways. Beginning with a shared history as Spanish Viceroyalties in the Americas, they both resulted in a mixture of Spanish, European, Creole, and indigenous cultures. And while my friends in NOLA were celebrating Mardi Gras, I toasted to the occasion with a Mardi Gras Pisco Sour.
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Arroz Chaufa: Chinese-Peruvian Fried Rice

Arroz Chaufa: Chinese-Peruvian Fried Rice

Arroz Chaufa: Chinese-Peruvian Fried Rice

Arroz Chaufa, or Chinese-Peruvian Fried Rice is a wonderful example of how Peruvians embraced the ingredients and flavors of Chinese cuisine which was brought to Peru by Chinese immigrants over 150 years ago. Today, Arroz Chaufa can be found on the lunch menu of almost any restaurant in Lima, not just the popular Chifas. This dish has many variations but its two main spices are ginger and soy sauce. The recipe here is my own, and the key is to have all the ingredients prepared and measured ahead of time and set in a mise en place, so that you can quickly stir fry them and serve the dish immediately.
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