Many kinds of corn grow in Peru, including the giant Andean corn that is used in our Chocolo con Queso, or corn on the cob with fresh cheese, served as a special at our restaurante peruano. There is also purple corn, which is used to make our Maiz Morado, a fruit and cinnamon flavored drink. But if you love crunchy, salty snacks, try maiz cancha, or Peruvian toasting corn. Similar to corn nuts, maiz cancha is a delightfully addictive appetizer or treat. It’s often served with ceviche. Just pop the corn in some vegetable oil in a covered pot, and season with salt. Serve warm or at room temperature. You won’t find authentic maiz cancha in every grocery store, but it is available online. Buy maiz cancha by following the link.
February 6, 2012
Maiz Cancha – A Peruvian Snack
January 11, 2012
Peruvian Food is a Top Trend for 2012
The Boston Globe lists Peruvian food as one of the Top 8 Food Trends for 2012, quoting chef Jose Duarte of Taranta. This is just one more mention to add to the list. Which Peruvian dishes have you tried? Many people try Lomo Saltado, Chaufa, or Ceviche when they’re first exploring our Peruvian menu, but there are many more dishes to choose from, as well as daily specials. Follow us on Twitter to learn more about our specials: www.twitter.com/fiestaperufood or scroll through our blog posts to learn about a long list of Peruvian dishes, cooking styles, drinks, recipes, holidays, and traditions. As we welcome 2012, the Year of Peruvian Food, we’ll be sure to update more often to give you the latest information about Fiesta Restaurants and Peruvian food’s rising fame around the world!
December 10, 2011
Peruvian Food for a Group: Ceviche and More
‘Tis the season for dinners out with family and friends. For a comfortable, casual setting, stop by Fiesta Limena and share an order of jalea, which is big enough for two, three or even four depending how you split it! This lightly battered and fried seafood feast is always a crowd pleaser. Looking for something on the lighter side? Don’t miss the ceviche – available in shrimp, fish, or mixed seafood varieties. If you’re not in the mood for seafood, why not split a plate of lomo saltado and chaufa, the Peruvian version of fried rice? With an affordable menu of homestyle Peruvian food, Fiesta Limena has something for everyone. And don’t forget to finish with dessert! Our homemade flan or fresh alfajores cookies are a sweet way to end a meal with loved ones. Also request Tunki coffee after your meal – a fair trade, organic coffee from Peru. And if you’re introducing your fellow guests to Peruvian food for the first time, you can enjoy the credit for helping them discover this mouthwatering cuisine! Fiesta Limena creates memorable evenings with generous portions in a comfortable setting, all for an affordable price.
November 23, 2011
Fairfield County’s Peruvian Food Destination
If you love to travel, you probably know the name Frommer’s. As one of the most successful travel publishers in the world, they have recommended the best hotels and attractions to thousands of travelers for more than 50 years. One of their most recent recommendations, of course, is Peru! Frommer’s named Lima the top foodie destination for 2012. That means that out of hundreds of thousands of cities across Europe, North America and Asia, all known for delicious cuisine, Peruvian food has risen to the very top! Of course, we’re not surprised, but we are proud! And while Lima may be the top foodie destination in the world, we like to think of Fiesta Limena as the foodie destination for Fairfield County! We have been ambassadors of Peruvian Food in CT for over 15 years, and we look forward to the next 15, as more and more Americans discover this delicious cuisine.
November 1, 2011
July 11, 2011
Huayruro Jewelry from Peru
At Fiesta Limena, we like to educate our guests about Peruvian cuisine and culture. Have you ever heard of Huayruro (why-euro) seeds? These naturally red and black seeds are very popular in Peru, and have been a part of Peruvian culture for many years. They are used as good luck charms, and are said to ward off negativity while attracting good fortune for those who wear them in Huayruro Bracelets, necklaces and earrings. Even newborn babies are often given a huayruro bracelet with wishes for a long and happy life. As artisans explore new possibilities, they are also creating new huayruro home decor items and both simple and sophisticated jewelry designs. These talented artisans create Huayruro Jewelry designs like this Huayruro Bracelet that are beautiful, intriguing and meaningful.
June 14, 2011
Peruvian Corn Salad
In the summertime, light dishes like ceviche are perfect. If you love the food at our CT Restaurante Peruano and would like to try a Peruvian recipe at home, consider a quick, easy side dish like Ensalada de Choclo, or Peruvian Corn Salad. Choclo is Peruvian corn, with large, flavorful kernels. Mix three cups of choclo, one diced red pepper, one diced red onion, eight ounces of queso fresco, three tablespoons of olive oil, the juice of one lime, two tablespoons of minced cilantro, and salt and pepper to taste. This tasty Peruvian side dish goes well with fish or meat. The lime juice and onions give it an authentic Peruvian taste, which you will like if you are a fan of the flavor of dishes like ceviche. If you’re unfamiliar with queso fresco, any unaged white cheese, sometimes called farmer’s cheese, will work in this dish. Peruvian choclo is available from brands like Mama Tina’s.
June 1, 2011
More on Peruvian Food, and Tamales
The tamale is another native Peruvian Food delicacy that was adapted when the Spanish came to Peru. The original husks filled with ground corn were called humitas; the name was changed to tamales when the Spaniards added new ingredients. To make traditional humitas, remove the kernels from fresh corn on the cob and grind it. Then add onions, garlic, Aji Amarillo Paste, salt and cumin to taste and spoon into corn husks. For tamales, blend chick peas in a food processor to create a paste. Add some melted butter, cilantro, salt and pepper and cook over low heat until the mixture starts to come together in a mass. Add bite sized pieces of chicken before spreading inside the corn husks. Serve either variation with Salsa Criolla, a mixture of red onions, aji amarillo, vinegar, cilantro, key lime juice and salt.
May 31, 2011
Carapulcra
One of our goals at Fiesta Limena CT Restaurante Peruano is to educate our customers about Peruvian food. We’ve mentioned that some Peruvian dishes have roots that stretch back to ancient times. Carapulca was one of the first native dishes that the Spanish enjoyed and adapted with their cooking style, and this tender pork and potato stew is still a favorite among Peruvians. Along with ingredients you would expect to find in a Peruvian recipe, like Aji Panca Paste, onions and cumin, there are also some surprisingly ones. Unsweetened chocolate, peanuts, and even ground butter cookies are added to some carapulcra recipes to add to the texture and intricate flavor. The mixture of savory and sweet is what makes carapulcra such a distinct dish. You’ll also need a bag of dried potato pieces to make an authentic carapulcra. These are available from Peruvian food specialty brands like Mama Tina’s.
May 25, 2011
Peruvian Olives
Peruvian olives are called Aceituna de Botija. These are the olives we use to garnish dishes like Papa a la Huancaina, one of our most popular appetizers. They are purple and have a taste similar to kalamatas. Aceitunas can also be used to make an olive mayonnaise. This olive mayonnaise is an essential part of the traditional octopus dish, Pulpo al Olivo. You can also add whole or sliced aceitunas to sandwiches, wraps or salads. Sometimes these particular olives can be hard to find, but they are available online at Mama Tina’s along with other Peruvian Food staples. Follow the link to buy Peruvian olives online or come to Fiesta Limena for some Papa a la Huancaina today!