newsletter
november 2007
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Pica Peru Events
Limon Restaurant Presents Pica Peru (Denver, CO) As fall takes over the northern hemisphere, escape to the warmth of South America with a classic Peruvian dinner. Tonight Alex Gurevich, chef/owner of Limon Restaurant will serve a four course, Peruvian dinner accompanied by a pisco sour (the national Peruvian cocktail) and two wine pourings. While Gurevich explains the food, Pica Peru's Kazia Jankowski, author of the guidebook Moon Peru and a contributing writer for 5280 magazine, will show a Peru slideshow. Profits of the dinner will be shared with Better Peru, a non-profit that assists families in southern Peru. Tue. Nov. 13, 6 p.m, $50. For more information, contact Kazia Jankowski at kazia@peruculinaryvacations.com.
Chocotejas
On a quite street corner in Lima’s Miraflores neighborhood, sits Helena, an upscale chocolatier that, since the 1970s, has made Peru’s favorite candy. Chocotejas, with their crispy chocolate coating and smooth caramel filling, are now as Peruvian as pisco or Machu Picchu. Until last week, we’d always thought Helena was the master of the candy’s blend of Belgian and Swiss techniques and Cusco chocolate. Then, we traveled to Maine. Pine forests and rocky shorelines certainly don’t conjure up images of Latin America, but Peruvian Moncia Elliot has made her home in the northern state, and there, in her shop Monica’s Chocolates, she’s introduced the tradition of chocotejas. Covered in dark chocolate, Elliot’s candies go by the name of bonbon, and harmoniously balance rich chocolate with deep caramel sweetness. Both Monica’s Chocolates and Helena’s chocotejas are available by internet. We encourage you to do you own taste test. Helena Chocolatier, www.helenachocolatier.com. Monica’s Chocolates, www.monicaschocolates.com.
Peruvian Free Trade & Food Importation
Last Thursday, by a 153-vote majority, the US House of Representatives approved a free trade agreement with Peru. Immediately, we hoped that would mean increased importation of Peruvian food into the US. Gone would be the days of substituting Peru’s brilliant orange ají pepper with jalapenos or ordering pisco via internet. Unfortunately, though, the implementation of the Free Trade agreement looks like it will be a lengthy process. The agreement still needs the Senate’s approval and even if it passes, lawmakers will require additional time to develop policies for food safety importation. So, for the time being, our Peruvian ingredient accessibility is limited to internet. While that means no spontaneous Peruvian dinner parties, we won’t suffer for the staples. There are several good Peruvian food websites. Among our favorites are: Gertie’s Finest (www.gertiesfinest.com) for jars of olives, peppers, and spreads; Peruvian Peppers (www.peruvianpeppers.com) for dried whole and ground ají peppers; and Planet of Wine (www.planetofwine.com) for its selection of excellent quality pisco.