Menestrón is the Peruvian version of minestrone soup, brought to the country by Italian migrants. What makes this soup Peruvian is the addition of native ingredients, such as potato and cassava. This is a pesto-based version of minestrone (as opposed to tomato-based). In addition to the traditional basil and Parmesan, this pesto features spinach and […]
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Recipe: Chile verde pork ribs with Mexican slaw
I first tried chile verde in a Mexican restaurant in Sydney that no longer exists. I loved it, mainly because it reminded me of Peruvian seco. Unlike the most common chilli con carne, the sauce in chile verde is made with tomatillos, green chillies and coriander. It is normally made with pork shoulder but I […]
Recipe: Quinoa & mixed beans vegan bowls
These quinoa & mixed beans vegan bowls are inspired by Latin American food. Like the quinoa & lentil bowls, these are packed with plant-based protein, iron and fibre. The capsicum and lime provide vitamin C, which your body needs to absorb the non-haem iron. You will also get some healthy monounsaturated fats from the olive […]
Recipe: My mum’s tuna croquettes
Another mum recipe! Tuna croquettes (“croquetas de atún”) was a weeknight dish that was on a semi-regular rotation at our house. I always looked forward to the next time we’d have them. Mum served the croquettes with a lot of rice and some veggies: green beans, peas and carrots that were first blanched in water […]
Recipe: Quinoa, lentil & beetroot vegan bowls
These quinoa, lentil & beetroot vegan bowls are a tasty meal packed with plant-based protein, iron and fibre. The dressing contains lemon to provide vitamin C, which your body needs to absorb the non-haem iron. You will also get some healthy unsaturated fats from the olive oil and seeds, and calcium mainly from the tahini. […]
Recipe: My mum’s arroz chaufa (Peruvian fried rice)
Chaufa comes from chao fan, which apparently means “fried rice” in Chinese (not sure if in Mandarin, Cantonese or both). So yeah, arroz chaufa = “fried rice rice”. Arroz chaufa in Perú is very popular (as we have a large Cantonese community) and it comes in many varieties: chicken, pork, chicken + pork, chicken + […]
Recipe: BBQ chicken drumettes with coleslaw
Chicken drumettes are the fleshy part of chicken wings. You can use it in place of regular wings any dish, for example these BBQ chicken drumettes with coleslaw. The recipe features a quick BBQ sauce that doesn’t need cooking or blending. In addition, it is lower in sugar than regular BBQ sauce if you can […]
Recipe: Lamb kofta with roasted Mediterranean vegetables
Kofta are basically meatballs or sausages that can be made in several different ways depending on where in the World they are made. I like them made with lamb and either a Middle Eastern or Mediterranean twist. This recipe for lamb kofta with roasted Mediterranean vegetables is not only easy to make but also gluten-free, […]
Recipe: Pumpkin, ginger & lemongrass soup
I love soup and pumpkin soup has been among my favourites forever. Pumpkin is rich in beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A. Its sweetness, accentuated by roasting it instead of just boiling it, pairs well with the zing of ginger, lemongrass and lime juice. This recipe is gluten-free and can be made vegan/vegetarian by using […]
Recipe: One pan lamb chops with vegetables and chimichurri
Lamb and chimichurri are common items in Argentinian menus. Although they do a lot of asado (BBQ), lamb is more often eaten slow-cooked by open fire. I wanted this recipe to capture the essence of Argentinian food without sacrificing practicality. These lamb chops with chimichurri can be easily made on a weeknight with ingredients that […]