A taste of Peru

I don't feel like blogging about the future today. So, this is not a post about Brookes or any related subject. There will be plenty of opportunity for those later.

Instead, I'm gonna tell you abouta Peruvian dessert and even give you the recipe. No, this is not going to become a food blog. Hey, this stuff could probably be made in the uni dorms on a tight budget, so I guess it is a university post. How about that? :)

Suspiro de/a la Limena.

This is probably one of the most pornilicious ultra-sweet things I've ever had. It's hard to describe. It's pudding-y at the bottom but not thick and light and fluffy on top.
It's so easy to make too. It sounds complicated because of the syrup but it's not as involved as it looks.

Basically, you boil one can of condensed milk (about 1-1/4 cup), 1 can evaporated milk and a cinnamon stick stirring constantly until thick and creamy. Let it stand for about 10 mins. Beat 5 egg yolks and add a tsp. of vanilla essence and slowly incorporate into the milk (I personally slowly mix about a cup of the milk into the eggs first before mixing that with the rest so I'm sure the eggs don't get scrambled).
Pour into individual serving cups or one big cup (I think individual is better). In a saucepan, combine 1 c. of sugar and 1/4 c. of port wine (or any sweet-ish liquor or heck, even water, basically, make a syrup) and boil until it reaches soft-ball stage (spoon a bit of the syrup into a glass of ice water and squish it between your fingers. It should, appropriately, form a soft ball of sugar.
Beat 2 egg whites until stiff and slowly pour syrup into them, beating constantly until the meringue is cool. Top the cups with a layer of meringe and sprinkle some cinnamon on top.

This thing is crazy good! I just had a couple of spoonfuls because I'm on Atkins and this stuff is loaded with carbs. Hey! I couldn't leave this country without having some Suspiro de Limena!
It is extremely sweet so it's a good idea to share one serving with someone else because it probably gets overwhelming quickly.

Another thing that is crazy good is Lucuma ice-cream. Lucuma is a tropical fruit grown in the Amazon area of Peru. It looks a little like an avocado but has bright orange flesh. It's not eaten natural but is awesome in desserts. It's the most popular flavor for ice-cream over here and you can find lucuma cheesecakes, puddings, mousses... anything. They have Suspiro de Lucuma which I haven't tasted but I'm sure is nice and this other thing "Crocante de Lucuma" also untasted by yours truly but I want it! Anyway, the ice-cream is to die for! It has a soft, nutty flavor and something that is entirely lucuma-y and I don't know how to describe (heck of a writer I am, eh?). Very, very good. If you ever visit Peru, try it.

Another thing I love is Chicha Morada and Mazamorra Morada (heh, I just bought some of that). Mazamorra is made from Chicha which is made by boiling cobs of purple maize. It's an incredibly refreshing drink that's easy to make at home (I make my own)...if you can find purple maize.

I also loved Camotillos, basically, candied sweet potatoes. Mmmmh! Again, extra sweet.

Okay, enough :D I'm making myself hungry and I promised myself not to eat all the Mazamorra AND Frijol Colado today.

Oh, by the way, I finished packing and am horrified at how much I have to leave!