Our dinner party starts off with a great cocktail to put you in the mood, a Pisco Sour, the national drink of Peru. Ceviche, the most popular starter in Peru, goes fabulously with your Pisco Sour. How convenient! The main show is a double act, Peruvian Stuffed Peppers with Scalloped Potatoes. To finish up there is an encore performance from a dessert we featured in Patagonia, Dulce de Leche Crème Caramel. Crème Caramel is just as popular in Peru and dulce de leche is popular everywhere in Latin America, so why not?
We also briefly discuss the growing Peruvian wine scene. Although dwarfed by Chile and Argentina, it is an up and comer and a country you should keep your eye on. Peruvian wineries are starting to export to the world.
As we traditionally do at Compass & Fork, the last food article for a country is always the Dinner Party edition. For January, 2016 that is Peru. Home to a great fusion of many different culinary influences.
Peruvian Dinner Party, Fusion at its Best
If there is one word that sums up Peru it is “fusion”. The process or result of joining two or more things together to form a single entity. In Peru it is fusion of culture, a fusion of geography and a fusion of food. It is a very apropos word for Peru. And although many countries claim fusion as a word applying to their food, I can’t think of another country where there have been so many different culinary influences and for such long periods of time.
It’s not just the influence of neighboring countries, it’s also the influences of all the major continents. North and South America, Europe, Asia and even Africa. They all play a significant part on the cuisine of Peru. I find the Asian influence (primarily Chinese and Japanese) absolutely fascinating. You can read more about Peruvian culinary influences here.
Perhaps the most multi-cultural of dishes we have featured about Peru is Lomo Saltado. It grieves me that this dish is not in our Peruvian themed dinner party. It might just be the most surprisingly good stir-fry you ever have. But the fact is that Peruvian stuffed peppers and scalloped potatoes work beautifully together and how could you feature a Peruvian dinner party without including potatoes? I mean, honestly!
However, if you are looking for a quicker dinner party then go right ahead and include the rather eclectic Lomo Saltado instead of the Peruvian stuffed peppers and scalloped potatoes. You won’t be disappointed.
Peruvian Wine Selection
Consumers around the world know how good Chilean and Argentine wines are. With Peru to the north of Chile, does it have anything comparable to offer?
Like Argentina and Chile, wine growing was introduced by the Spanish in the 16th century. It was in fact, quite prolific in the late 19th century. However, land used for vineyards reduced by 98% by the 1980’s. The cause? Pests, politics and a devastating war with Chile all played a part.
But since the 1980’s, great strides have been made. Varieties like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Muscat, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are being cultivated, along with Torrontes, Pinot Grigio and Malbec.
Wine growing conditions in Peru are very similar to neighboring Chile. And with advice coming from overseas vignerons the outlook for the Peruvian wine scene is very optimistic. There is also a steady market of young professionals in Lima becoming more interested in wine and there is growing tourism from European and American visitors looking for the next great wine destination. You can read more about Peruvian wine here.
We enjoyed a number of good wines in Peru but they are still breaking into overseas markets. We did try this rather good Peruvian Malbec and you may be able to source it in the US and Australia and possibly other countries. If you can’t source it, I would recommend a good Argentinian Malbec instead.
So enjoy your Peruvian dinner party and please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below either about our menu selections or Peruvian meals you have enjoyed or made.
Like the idea of country-themed dinner parties? Here are some others we have featured in the past:
- Turkish Dinner Party
- Italian Dinner Party
- Patagonian Dinner Party
- Vietnamese Dinner Party
- Melbourne Dinner Party
Want some travel information about Peru? Try here:
- Books, Cookbooks and Movies featuring Peru
- Secrets of the Sacred Valley
- Walking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- What makes Lake Titicaca so Special?
- An Introduction to the Highlights of Amazing Arequipa
- Getting Around Peru (publishing on 29 January)
Peruvian Dinner Party Menu
To access the recipe click on the highlighted name or the Picture
Pre-Dinner Drinks
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Pisco Sour, the national drink of PeruNot just the national drink of Peru but of Chile as well. |
Appetizer |
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Peruvian Ceviche How to Make this Classic at HomeMatch with another Pisco Sour |
Entree (Main Course) |
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Peruvian Stuffed Peppers Direct from Arequipaand The Best Peruvian Scalloped Potatoes Recipe EverMatch with a Santiago Quierolo Intipalka Malbec or a good malbec from Argentina |
Dessert |
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Dulce de Leche Creme Caramel Dessert
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Jayne
I have been reading quite a bit about Peruvian food lately and it sound really interesting. Love your menu, especially those potatoes – they look wonderful!
Editor
Peruvian food punches above its weight. It deserves more attention than it gets. Thanks for your comment.
Choclette
Love country themed dinner parties. I’ve managed a few in my time, but never one for Peru. I was given a Peruvian cookbook once, but it was all meat and guinea pigs and as a vegetarian, I decided to put it quietly at the bottom of a very large pile of books.
Editor
Very funny, we thought the guinea pig (cuy) wouldn’t fly and where would you buy it? But the food in Peru was good. Not as meat-focussed though as Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. I would hate to be vegetarian there! Thanks for your comment.
Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs
What a fab post! The dishes all compliment each other so well 🙂 the Dulce de Leche Creme Caramel Dessert looks AMAZING. Invite me next time!!
Editor
Emma, we were surprised how good the food was in Peru and dulce de leche is everywhere throughout South and Central America! Once you taste it you can see why. Thanks for your comment.
Revathi Palani
A a lovely dinner party. Just this dinner menu itself makes to want to pay a visit to Peru. I especially love the Creme Caramel. Looks divine.
Editor
Yes the food in Peru, was great. It exceeded our expectations. The creme caramel and dulce de leche are everywhere throughout South America. Thank for your comment.
Judy
What a wonderful idea for an article – and the food looks divine!
Editor
Judy, So glad you enjoyed. We try to end each destination with a dinner party. Entertaining at home can be quite easy and if you already have the recipes and the menu, what’s to stop you!
Immaculate
Love Peruvian food! I use to frequent a Peruvian restaurant near me…. It had some of the best fried rice in town. Their food is quite tasty . Thanks for sharing!
Editor
Immaculate, Yes I think their food is quite underrated or in many cases just totally unknown! lol!
Kathy Hester
I’ve always wanted to visit Peru and having a multi-course Peruvian meal sounds like a great place to start!
Editor
Indeed and there are no unusual ingredients in any of the courses. Give it a try. Thanks for your comment.
Jenn
Peru is on my list of countries that I want to visit. And now I’m only more convinced that I need to make it happen.
Editor
You won’t regret it Jenn. It’s an awesome travel destination with lots of diversity. Thanks for your comment.
Boastful Food
Loving all these recipes and tidbits about Peru. Keep it coming!
Editor
We typically spend about a month on each of our destinations so we can get into some depth. Thanks for your comment.
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
Pour me a pisco sour and I’d like a bite of every single thing!
Editor
Dorothy, you are spot on the money! A pisco sour just gets you in the mood for a good dinner. Thanks for your comment.
Camilla @FabFood4All
Peru look absolutely amazing and the food looks super tasty too!
Editor
Camilla it was surprisingly good. It exceeded our expectations. Thanks for your comment.
Christie
Oh yeah! I would love a Peruvian themed dinner party. From the cocktail to dessert, I would happily devour every bite.
Editor
Well said Christie. We really enjoyed the food in Peru and think it does not get enough attention. Thanks for your comment.
Sarah
I would love to try Peruvian food. A place I’d like to visit sometime.
Editor
They are all easy recipes Sarah, made from everyday ingredients. Thanks for your comment.
Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table
I love a country where potatoes are celebrated! Hope to get there someday myself. In the meantime, I can be whisked away with this lovely dinner party – looks delicious!
Editor
Kathryn, more than 2,000 varieties of potatoes of all shapes and sizes. Thanks for your comment.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
My parents visited Peru a few years ago and came back RAVING about Pisco Sours. Wish I could try one, I’ll have to make my own!
Editor
Becca, all you need is a bottle of pisco, the rest is easy. They are better than margaritas in my view. Thanks for your comment.
Dee
All of these look wonderful, and it’s really making me want to visit!
Editor
The food is very eclectic in Peru. We loved it! Thanks for your comment.
AiPing | Curious Nut
Wow… there’s just too many things to try in this list. I’ve never had Peruvian but I hear it’s really good.
Editor
Yes very underrated and it shouldn’t be! Thanks for your comment.
Kathi @ Laughing Spatula
Love the photos and colorful menu!
Editor
Thank you so much for the comment.
Ali @ Home & Plate
I lived in Peru as a child and my parents love the cuisine and culture. I would love to enjoy everything on this menu. My dad has a ceviche recipe that is pretty good and I’m sure he will love the pisco sour you have listed. It’s a great lineup!
Editor
Thank you Ali. I’ll bet your dad’s ceviche is a real highlight and I’m not surprised he enjoys the cuisine. Thanks for your comment.
Sherri @ Watch Learn Eat
Have never been to Peru! Looks beautiful! The menu looks fabulous! 🙂
Editor
Yes it’s a bit of fun Sherri. It is a lovely country with nice people. Thanks for your comment.
Daniela Apostol
Amazing dishes! They must taste great, such colourful photos!
Editor
Peru has a great reputation for food but has been flying under the radar as it doesn’t get much media attention. Thanks for your comment.
Sarah
My mouth is watering! This brings me right back to Peru 🙂 Pisco Sours and Dulce de Leche yumm! No fried guinea pig on this menu though? Haha 😉
Editor
OK I can see you have been to Peru. I’m not sure the guinea pig would have flown on this menu. Thanks for your rather humorous comment.