MORE ON FOOD

Having been burned a little in my relationship with Peruvian food I've been hesitant to get too involved too quickly recently. I think, however, I'm ready to tell you all a bit about it.

Here's some food I built up quite a close relationship with...

Photo: Cuy (Guinea Pig) is a delicacy in Peru. I haven't tried it yet but a French girl in our group tried it and said she really liked it. She looked quite guilty when she admitted to it.




WHAT ELSE DO THEY EAT AROUND HERE?


CEVICHE: Raw fish with lemon and onion. You may be surprised to know (having been notoriously anti-seafood for most of my life) that I actually really like this. It's hugely popular in this part of Peru.



TAMAL: This is made of maize and stuff. There's usually an olive or bit of chicken or egg hiding inside, or all three. It's okay, but not my favourite Peruvian dish. I was served it for breakfast which I didn't really feel was appropriate.










POLLO DEL VINO: Hmmm. I'm bringing home the recipe for this one. I'm prepared to try cooking it, that's how good it is.

PLATANOS DE ISLA: Island bananas. Just like normal bananas but pink on the inside. Cool, eh?

JUGO: Juices. Fresh Papaya Juice for breakfast is a fantastic way to start the day. The passionfruit and miembre (no idea what it is in English, it doesn't look familiar - although the lemons don't look familiar either) juices are also good.

CHIFA: This is Chinese Food. But it's not. It's Chinese Food that tastes distinctly Peruvian. I now believe those people that say the Chinese Food we eat in New Zealand doesn't taste like the Chinese Food in China. It certainly doesn't taste the same as Chinese Food in Peru.

PAPAS: There are at least 300 different types of potato in Peru. FYI

CHICHO MORADO: It's a maize drink with sugar. I quite like it. It tastes kinda like cordial but nicer.

PISCO: Peru's answer to whisky. Yes, I tried a wee sip. It was...cleansing. Kinda gets into all the hard-to-reach places.