"People who love to eat are always the best people"
Goodbye Mac & Cheese and Taco Bell.... Hello Lomo Saltado and Ceviche. If there has been one thing that has changed most in my life these past two months, food and eating habits would definitely be the winner. After living on my own for the past three years I had gotten into a groove of what I know how to cook and what meals I like to prepare for myself. It didn't feel like it at the time but looking back it seemed I always had the same foods in my pantry and repeated going to the same restaurants around town. Not that I was a picky eater at all, but quite the opposite actually. I love all types of food and fully enjoy trying new things but I also like to be in control of what I am putting into my body and like to believe that I was somewhat health-conscious. As soon I moved here, I lost all freedom to cook and eat whatever I like, whenever I like. I am now at the mercy of my host-mom or Susanna and what they decide to prepare and when they decide to prepare it. On one hand it has been great-- I never have to cook or do dishes and who can complain about that?? But on the other hand I only have the opportunity to eat at home when they do, which sometimes means I miss lunch because I have to leave for class before it is ready and no dinner until 10 or 11pm, if it is even served at all. While I definitely cannot think of anything bad to say about the actual food prepared, it has just taken some getting used to to not be able to walk into the kitchen and make some eggs and bacon for breakfast or have a bowl of late-night cereal whenever I feel like. Another difficult adjustment has been the health aspects of the food here, as delicious as it may be. To sum it up in one word--- carbs. Carbs all day, every day. If you are strongly opposed to white bread and white rice, do not move to Peru.
Before I came here, I did not really have any expectations of the cuisine but I guess I just assumed it to be similar to Mexican dishes. Sadly, there have been no chips and salsa sightings nor any tacos or burritos to be found, besides at the Burrito Bar, claro que si. I, along with the majority of my group, have discovered that sandwiches seem to be the most popular choice of breakfast food here. Most mornings when I wake up, Susanna has the table set with my cafe con leche, a basket full of fresh buns from the local grocery store, thick slices of cheese and ham, and butter. The first few days she always seemed surprised when I turned down her offer for a second sandwich... strangely enough one large ham sandwich at 9am is all I need;)
Another thing that I have had to get used to is lunch being my biggest meal of the day. Usually by the time I am finishing breakfast, Susanna has already begun to prepare lunch. Her cooking is sooo good, I don't think she has really made anything that I haven't liked. .....Okay I take that back, one day I was slightly apprehensive to try the soup when it has something that looked like a bony baby bat floating in the middle of it, but hey, I ate it and it was good and I survived. That has pretty much been my attitude on all food here, no matter what it looks like or how appalling it sounds, might as well try it and see how it goes. Never in my life did I think that I would be chewing on a cow's heart but it has happened quite a few times and it's really rather tender :)
Before I came here, I did not really have any expectations of the cuisine but I guess I just assumed it to be similar to Mexican dishes. Sadly, there have been no chips and salsa sightings nor any tacos or burritos to be found, besides at the Burrito Bar, claro que si. I, along with the majority of my group, have discovered that sandwiches seem to be the most popular choice of breakfast food here. Most mornings when I wake up, Susanna has the table set with my cafe con leche, a basket full of fresh buns from the local grocery store, thick slices of cheese and ham, and butter. The first few days she always seemed surprised when I turned down her offer for a second sandwich... strangely enough one large ham sandwich at 9am is all I need;)
Another thing that I have had to get used to is lunch being my biggest meal of the day. Usually by the time I am finishing breakfast, Susanna has already begun to prepare lunch. Her cooking is sooo good, I don't think she has really made anything that I haven't liked. .....Okay I take that back, one day I was slightly apprehensive to try the soup when it has something that looked like a bony baby bat floating in the middle of it, but hey, I ate it and it was good and I survived. That has pretty much been my attitude on all food here, no matter what it looks like or how appalling it sounds, might as well try it and see how it goes. Never in my life did I think that I would be chewing on a cow's heart but it has happened quite a few times and it's really rather tender :)
Besides the batty soup, most of Susanna's lunches consist of the same basics. Some sort of chicken or steak, rice, vegetables and potatoes or lentils. This is always accompanied by a soup or salad to start, and some sort of fruit or jello for dessert. I fully enjoy being pampered with these huge meals, but I must say I don't believe my booty and hips are thinkin' the same thing. Although she never lets me help in the kitchen despite my frequent offers, she has shown me how she cooks a few of her dishes (she said it was important to know how to cook well to keep the men in your life happy ;) ) She said that she learned to cook from her mother, so it felt kind of special to see her making these delicious traditional peruvian things from memory and how they turn out perfect every time.
Besides eating at home, I have also been able to try many restaurants during my travels. Although many places do offer hamberguesas on their menu, I have loved sampling traditional peruvian foods. One of the simplest things to order and most commonly seen, would be Lomo Saltado. Essentially it is just strips of steak, mixed with grilled onions, peppers, and tomatoes, atop french fries and of course, rice. Another dish that Peru is known for is ceviche. This is chunks of raw fish, marinated in citrusy juices and usually mixed with onions-- it sounds a little outrageous but is actually very yummy. When we were in Punta Hermosa, we found a seaside restaurant that offered two courses for 15 soles ($5 US). The ceviche was my first course and tasted so fresh that I ate every bite. Second course was shrimp and rice, which is actually my favorite meal to make for myself back home, so you could say I was a very happy camper that night! Another restaurant that sticks out in my mind is Oceanika. Our peruvian friends took Kenz, Nikki, and I one night and it might've been one of the best decisions we've made food-wise. The restaurant is known for it's all-you-can eat sushi for 50 soles ($17 US). This price also included a beer, unlimited chicha or coca-cola, an appetizer noodle dish, and dessert sushi. I have always been a sushi lover, but this Oceanika might take the Grand Prize. There were probably over 30 different types of rolls to choose from and by the end of the night we had ordered and ate over 300 pieces of sushi between the six of us. We waddled out of there with our pants a little tighter, but happy as clams. It was definitely worth the indulgence.
Besides eating at home, I have also been able to try many restaurants during my travels. Although many places do offer hamberguesas on their menu, I have loved sampling traditional peruvian foods. One of the simplest things to order and most commonly seen, would be Lomo Saltado. Essentially it is just strips of steak, mixed with grilled onions, peppers, and tomatoes, atop french fries and of course, rice. Another dish that Peru is known for is ceviche. This is chunks of raw fish, marinated in citrusy juices and usually mixed with onions-- it sounds a little outrageous but is actually very yummy. When we were in Punta Hermosa, we found a seaside restaurant that offered two courses for 15 soles ($5 US). The ceviche was my first course and tasted so fresh that I ate every bite. Second course was shrimp and rice, which is actually my favorite meal to make for myself back home, so you could say I was a very happy camper that night! Another restaurant that sticks out in my mind is Oceanika. Our peruvian friends took Kenz, Nikki, and I one night and it might've been one of the best decisions we've made food-wise. The restaurant is known for it's all-you-can eat sushi for 50 soles ($17 US). This price also included a beer, unlimited chicha or coca-cola, an appetizer noodle dish, and dessert sushi. I have always been a sushi lover, but this Oceanika might take the Grand Prize. There were probably over 30 different types of rolls to choose from and by the end of the night we had ordered and ate over 300 pieces of sushi between the six of us. We waddled out of there with our pants a little tighter, but happy as clams. It was definitely worth the indulgence.
*Mas Observaciones Aleatorias*
-Bread can be eaten at any time, with any meal. Not many snacks are kept in the house but you can be sure that the bread cupboard is always full.
-Chifles are my favorite snack. Think potato chips, but made out of bananas.
-They never drink water here :( Actually, they just drink way less liquid in general. After being in the heat all day all I crave is a cold glass of ice water but I think that has yet to be found in my house. Coca-Cola, Inca Kola, and chicha are all the rage.
- It's completely normal to buy homemade food from a random person on a street corner. You don't know who this woman is, how long she has been standing here, or where she made this cake?? Who cares, it's CHOCOLATE CAKE!
- Guinea Pig is a delicacy called cuy. It's not just pieces of meat, oh no, its the poor little creatures body, just without a head. Haven't been brave enough the try it yet and don't know if I ever really have the desire to.
- Almost every restaurant delivers, especially all the fast-food ones. Even KFC. Even Burger King.
-I tried pig intestines and stomach. I actually put it in my mouth, chewed and swallowed. It was a rash decision in a moment of weakness, but Abi said it was delicious so I thought hey why not. ........ It's intestines and stomach and exactly the texture it tastes like, that's why not. :/
-Bread can be eaten at any time, with any meal. Not many snacks are kept in the house but you can be sure that the bread cupboard is always full.
-Chifles are my favorite snack. Think potato chips, but made out of bananas.
-They never drink water here :( Actually, they just drink way less liquid in general. After being in the heat all day all I crave is a cold glass of ice water but I think that has yet to be found in my house. Coca-Cola, Inca Kola, and chicha are all the rage.
- It's completely normal to buy homemade food from a random person on a street corner. You don't know who this woman is, how long she has been standing here, or where she made this cake?? Who cares, it's CHOCOLATE CAKE!
- Guinea Pig is a delicacy called cuy. It's not just pieces of meat, oh no, its the poor little creatures body, just without a head. Haven't been brave enough the try it yet and don't know if I ever really have the desire to.
- Almost every restaurant delivers, especially all the fast-food ones. Even KFC. Even Burger King.
-I tried pig intestines and stomach. I actually put it in my mouth, chewed and swallowed. It was a rash decision in a moment of weakness, but Abi said it was delicious so I thought hey why not. ........ It's intestines and stomach and exactly the texture it tastes like, that's why not. :/