New Food Trends in Miami

By Alejandro Arce

During the last years a significant number of new Peruvian restaurants have appeared in Miami, adding significantly to the already existing ones.

Peruvian food is different to  Latino food; it has not much in common with the well known Cuban cuisine, Mexican dishes, or Argentinian and Brazilian steaks. Of course, most Latin cuisines use beans (frijoles) of different varieties and colors, and different flavors.

Peruvians are endowed, I believe by nature, with the ability to convert dishes from many parts of the world into Peruvian dishes; an example, is the delicious “Arros chaufa,” a typical Chinese dish made Peruvian style, and “Arros aeropuerto” a delicious fried rice endowed with native flavors.

We can mention when talking about Peruvian dishes, the famous “ceviche” that comes in different arrangements and using several sauces made mainly of hot peppers in three colors; red, yellow and green. It is prepared using fresh fish, preferably corvina and lime juice and topped  with red onions. Once a person familiarizes themselves with Peruvian food, it is difficult to not stop at one of the many restaurants in the area and taste the famous Papa a la Huancaina which is boiled potatoes surrounded by a hot and sweet yellow sauce.

The variety of dishes includes beef, pork, lamb, and chicken. Like the internationally famous pollo a la braza or chicken cooked on the rotisserie, arros con pollo and many other chicken dishes.  Peru has the advantage of producing a great number of very strong spices.  The variety of hot peppers includes the rocoto. One has to be careful when eating rocoto because it is known to produce very uncomfortable and serious side effects.

One has to try Picarones, a typical Peruvian dessert that resembles a very crisp donut  served in a raw sugar liquid. As far as liquor goes, Pisco Sour, is made of Peruvian white brandy, lemon juice and sugar mixed with egg whites.

Sabor al Peru and Ceviche 105 are tops among the famous restaurants in Miami that serve typical native Peruvian dishes.

Other restaurants, include the reasonably priced,  El Chimu de Oro is one of them. However, you can find Peruvian restaurants in almost every neighborhood. Another restaurant that comes to mind, is Pardo in Coral Gables. Another favorite is Claudia, located in Sunny Isles, where the food is superb and the hugs and kisses never end.

Peru has many very attractive things, but in my opinion, the food trumps all.

Category: SPEAK YOUR MIND