I’m sorry for the lateness of this post, but I had a few setbacks. However, I’m now back on track & there’s still enough time for us to take book suggestions before we vote on next month’s read.
This next country is one many of my friends consider a “must-see” & you’ve likely heard of many of the things for which it is most famous. But can you recognize this country from this land’s lesser known facts as noted by the Huff Post?
This country’s won the World’s Leading Culinary Destination award every year since 2012.
It’s national drink is made from a grape brandy mixed with lime juice, egg whites, & simple syrup.
It showcases the natural desert oasis shown above on one of its bills—a bill that’s currently worth $13.96 in US currency today.
Two of its official languages are Quechua & Aymara.
The cantua (shown below) is its national flower.
Any guesses yet where we’re adventuring to?
What if I said that both the peanut & the tomato are believed to originate there?
Or that Paddington Bear was originally from this land & his name was in fact Pastuso?
SO WHAT COUNTRY ARE WE READING?
It’s Peru! Surprised by some of the facts above? Yep, Paddington Bear whose stories take place in London was originally from Peru!
Paddington lived in Lima & was taken in by Aunt Lucy & Uncle Pastuzo after his parents died in an earthquake. He was then sent to London when Aunt Lucy eventually went to live in the Home for Retired Bears & could no longer look after him. He was found by the Brown family at Paddington railway station but because he felt his Peruvian name (Pastuso) was too difficult to pronounce, the Browns named him after the rail station they found him. (I love Paddington, but I don’t like it when people feel forced to Anglicize their names because folks in their new country have trouble with pronunciation. Plus, the story of the family saving him seem a bit “white savior-like” to me. But we’ll have to cut the author some slack since the book was published in 1958. However, maybe it’s best just to skip over that intro part when reading the Paddington story to any kids.)
The national drink I noted above is the Pisco Sour (Pisco being the grape brandy) & Peruvian food really is that good! If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re in for a treat. I’d forgotten about the cookbook below (it had been borrowed by a friend & never returned), but even re-reading it now made my mouth water remembering the flavors.
The Fire of Peru is written by the “godfather of Peruvian cuisine,” Peruvian-born Los Angeles chef & restaurateur Ricardo Zaratecaptures to capture the tastes & excitement of his native food. It’s a great introduction to Peruvian cooking as it includes stories about his life & his kitchen while introducing you to traditional ingredients & putting everything into context. It also includes some fusion dishes as well. Many dishes can be made with ingredients at your grocery, however, there are some that require specialty ingredients.
Three of the standout recipes I adored & will be making again soon include:
Alcachofas Con Pisco y Huacatay (Artichokes with Pisco-Lime Butter & Huacatay-Aioli)
Camotes Picantes con Miel (Spicy Grilled Sweet Potato with Serrano Honey Glaze)
Filete de Coliflor con Yuzu Kosho (Cauliflower Steaks with Yuzu Kosho - Aji Sauce)
There's also plenty of seafood & meat recipes. Plus, creative drinks & desserts too.
HAVE ANY BOOK SUGGESTIONS?
Just let us know your Peruvian suggestions by Sat., Oct. 24 11PM ET. (That’s NYC time. See it converted to your time below.)
You can comment with your suggestion below or in our online book club in Facebook.
We'll use 2 suggestions from book club members, 2 of my suggestions, & 2 suggestions from Mia (the book club co-admin) to compile a list of 6 books on which book club members will provide their thoughts. The book judged as best will then be read.
Please note - We're specific in our books, they must:
Largely occur in the location specified unless the world described is an alternate reality
Be written by an author born there who has spent a good portion of their life there
Exist in paperback & ebook available on both Amazon & Kindle at least in the US & hopefully elsewhere