Taste of Travel: Peru

Peru is a surprising mixture of cultures and cuisines – including Spanish, African, Chinese and Europeans.  A true highlight of our Amazon River Voyage [1] is the opportunity to sample the local fare, but even if you can’t be drifting down a river sipping a Pisco Sour, there’s no reason you can’t try these dishes at home!

Alfajores (Filled cookies with caramel)

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup corn starch
• 1 egg
• 1 cup salted butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• Powdered sugar for sprinkling

Filling (caramel manjarblanco)

• Place 1 large, unopened can of condensed milk in pot and cover with water.
• Boil for 3 hours, checking water level and adding as needed. This makes the right consistency for filling. Note: Do not open can until completely cool!

Instructions

1. Sift flour, cornstarch and powdered sugar. Put in large bowl and cut in butter.
2. Add egg and mix until soft. (Add a spoonful of milk if necessary) Let stand 15 minutes.
3. Cut dough in 4 pieces.
4. Spray cookie sheet.
5. Sprinkle flour over clean surface and lay out a piece of dough. Stretch dough with roller to 1/8 inch thickness.
6. Using round cookie cutter, make cookies and lay on cookie sheet.
7. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Cool completely.
9. Apply a small amount of filling to one cookie and top with another to make a sandwich.
10. Sprinkle cookies with powered sugar as desired.

Read more about Latin American food with Top 5 Foods to Try in Peru [2]. Also, don't miss this Authentic Pisco Sour recipe [3].

Categories:

• Amazon River [4]
• Latin America [5]
• Taste of Travel [6]

ShareThis [7]

You might also like:

UNESCO Calls for Better Protection of Machu Picchu and Nearby Town [8]

Wildebeests: One of the "Seven New Wonders of the World" [9]

4 Ways to Bring Latin America Home From Your Travels [10]