food tour

We went on a culinary and (slight) walking tour of a few places in Lima. Highlights included a very clean (upscale) open air market in the Barranco section, near the coast, with samples of many tropical fruits. 

Seafood for ceviche, and a variety of chilies. 

We went to a fancy bar and learned how to make Pisco Sours, which turned out so much better than the one I had at dinner the previous night. I think the fresh lime juice was key. 

Recipe for 2 drinks: 3oz Pisco (non-aromatic), 1oz lime juice, 1oz simple syrup (1:1 sugar/water), 1oz egg whites; shake vigorously with ice; strain with frequent gentle stirring to prevent separation (?); top with a few drops of Angostura bitters.

I took video of Annette and Pauline (from Norway) preparing a batch. http://youtu.be/btvh_n7SnUs

Next, a cooking class at a fancy restaurant, where we each made ourselves a plate of fantastic ceviche. The freshness of the fish (sea bass) was critical. 

We finished the afternoon at another swank restaurant and a good meal. I had a vegetarian dish, a meaty-tasting stew with mushrooms. Still looking forward to our first quinoa (a couple thousand varieties?!). We've had plenty of Peru's other indigenous staple: potatoes. 

Signing off for now, and vowing to avoid simple-minded food blogging in future posts. We're flying to Cusco to meet Ken tomorrow. Then beginning our Inca Trail tour/trek the following day. 

One more thing, a picture of our guide—Peruvian, but mostly from Holland: